Well here are a few tidbits that some may have missed. As video games become the next massive entertainment medium, involving both teenagers and the 18 – 35 year olds, other genres are being incorporated. The trend is as old as the comic book transition to theatrical movies, with similar successes and failures. (Remember Resident Evil? How about Street Fighter?) Of course some recent proposals seem destined to never happen.
One of the most anticipated transitions was Halo, the huge success for the Microsoft Xbox. I saw was because the deal is dead. It’s a shame as well too because the director was going to be none other than Mr. Peter Jackson. Can you imagine how good this film might have been? With Mr. Jackson’s ability to create immersive and believable environments the action and futuristic nature of Halo could have been this generations Star Wars.
Why has such a viable and anticipated deal stopped? Money of course. It seems that the potential cost and shared profits were too much for the studios. Universal Studios and 20th Century Fox both backed out earlier this month, leaving Microsoft alone on the deal. Now it seems Microsoft got the gitters too. I don’t understand it. Universal is owned by General Electric, Fox by News Corp. I think both can afford the money. Microsoft’s bankroll doesn’t even need to be mentioned. So I don’t think that backing the film was a question. Considering that the elements that made Lord of the Rings so wildly popular exist here, namely that there is a huge fan base that has already committed millions and eagerly awaiting more sequels plus they are covering the highly valued age groups, I believe the real sticking point was sharing the profits. I think that Mr. Jackson wanted more money on the backend than Microsoft would do. Still Microsoft is never one to walk away from a market they think will return a strong profit. My bet is that we will see a new game and then the movie will be on again.
For those that are not into the sci-fi arena, don’t fear there is something out there for you too. If hip-hop music and wrestling styled video games are more your thing then rejoice. Def Jam Records and EA have announced that March 2007 will be the debut of Def Jam Icon. Not only will you have the chance to fight as your favorite disreputable quasi-legal activities specialist (sorry meant talented rap artist) but you will get to listen to themes and music based on either the East coast, West coast or Atlanta styles.
There is nothing like beating someone down to popular songs advocating violence, sex, drugs and referencing men as criminals and women as objects. While I’m sure EA won’t let it contain anything too questionable, the idea will be there all the same. Of course I must admit that I don’t listen to rap since 90 roughly (except when I’m in a club of course) so Big Boi, Ludacris, Paul Wall, et al. may well be exceptions to the norm of todays celebrities. If so I stand corrected, but I honestly doubt that this is a probable outcome.
If you aren’t into video games yet, I think you will be soon. With each generation the games are getting more life-like, providing that feeling of superhuman prowess or an escape from the limitations of real-life. In addition the profits are too extreme for entertainment corporations to pass on. One successful game brings in millions, if not tens of millions (especially if you include sequels) at a cost of a fraction of a theatrical movie. Successful social games, like The Sims, grab not only males but females as well. Already advertisers are lining up to put ads into proven series. Give it 10 years and the new release of a game will be similar to a blockbuster movie premiere. I only hope that they might be more like the originality and visual complexity Halo brought than other more pandering (but popular and profitable) genres.
Ok, I’m tired and drifting. I was more focused in discussing the serious issues with Senator John Kerry today.
This is what I think, what do you think?
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