For years, the concept of adapting video games into successful films seemed almost impossible. A long history of critically and commercially unsuccessful attempts gave rise to what was known as the "video game curse." However, recent successes have changed this narrative. According to Dmitri M Johnson and Mike Goldberg, co-founders of Story Kitchen, a studio behind hits like Tomb Raider and Sonic the Hedgehog, the key lies in involving game creators more deeply in the adaptation process. They emphasize that excluding or underutilizing the original creative team leads to poor results, as seen in past failures like the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie.
In the past, video game developers' ideas were respected only about 25% of the time. Today, this has shifted dramatically to an 85/15 split favoring Hollywood's respect for game creators' visions. This change is evident in acclaimed adaptations such as The Last of Us and the latest Super Mario Brothers movie. Despite these advancements, some studios still fail to grasp the importance of collaboration, leading to their own detriment.
The Importance of Creative Collaboration
Involving game creators in film adaptations has become crucial for success. Goldberg highlights that when game rights holders, whether developers or publishers, are not adequately engaged, it negatively impacts the final product. He compares ignoring the original creative team to gambling recklessly, underscoring the necessity of their involvement to preserve the essence of characters, worlds, and fanbases.
This principle is illustrated by examining past mistakes. Johnson points to the poorly received 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie as an example where filmmakers failed to strike the right balance with video game creators regarding creative control. At the time of Story Kitchen's founding, game creators' input was rarely valued. However, Johnson humorously remarks that even the initial estimate of 25% respect was overly generous, suggesting it was likely lower. Now, with a significant shift towards valuing game creators' contributions, there is a marked improvement in adaptation quality.
Modern Success Stories and Lessons Learned
Today's landscape reflects a more collaborative approach, yielding successful adaptations. The industry now respects game creators' ideas approximately 85% of the time, contributing to hits like The Last of Us and Sonic the Hedgehog. These successes demonstrate the effectiveness of incorporating original creative teams into the filmmaking process, ensuring authenticity and appeal to dedicated fanbases.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Some studios persist in making choices detrimental to their projects by failing to collaborate effectively with game creators. Goldberg notes that Story Kitchen actively avoids working with such studios, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and understanding in producing quality adaptations. By learning from past errors and embracing a collaborative mindset, the future of video game-to-film adaptations appears promising, with continued innovation expected as the industry evolves.