Platforms are betting on video games in series format

BarcelonaOn January 15, Amazon Prime Video released the first image of Sophie Turner – Sansa Stark in Game of Thunder– like in Lara Croft in the new series about the video game Tomb Raider. This image marks the start of filming, and the production is expected to premiere sometime in 2027, the same year in which a film based on another famous video game is also expected to be released. God of WarFor some years now, streaming platforms have been increasingly focusing on adapting successful video games, those with a strong fanbase, or those with compelling stories well-suited to a different format, into series.

Major platforms like Netflix, HBO, and Amazon Prime Video are constantly seeking new productions for their users, and acquiring existing IP (intellectual property) is often easier than creating entirely new ones. The squid game either Stranger ThingsOne place to find these titles is the multi-billion dollar video game industry, which, although it has been exploited lately, has many productions with a very good fan base, where platforms can acquire new titles.

The Last of Us

The Last of Us It has been one of the most talked-about series in recent years. HBO invested heavily in this post-apocalyptic show based on the video game of the same name. Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie made the first season the most-watched in HBO's history in the country. And while it has generated some controversy due to the casting of Ramsey as Ellie and some viewers complaining that the title is too explicit, it has certainly made its mark. woke And that they are ruining their favorite video game, they are already filming the third season, which will premiere in 2027.

Fallout

Prime Video managed to bring to light FalloutAn adaptation of the role-playing video game created by Interplay Entertainment and now owned by Bethesda Softworks. Two hundred years after the apocalypse, the inhabitants of luxury shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, strange, and extremely violent universe. Two seasons have aired—the latest premiered on December 17th—and the strong ratings, which have placed it among the six most-watched series on Prime Video, have already led to a third season being commissioned.

The Witcher

Another example of how platforms, in this case Netflix, use these titles, is the series set in the video game The Witcher. This case is different because the video game is an adaptation of the literary saga by Andrzej Sapkowski, the Polish writer who created the main character, Geralt of Rivia. This monster hunter tries to find his place in a world where people are often worse than beasts. Henry Cavill initially, and Liam Hemsworth currently, have portrayed this protagonist, who has appeared in four seasons and will conclude the series with a fifth and final season in 2026.

God of War

Prime Video has already signed on for a second season of this adaptation, even before the first season has premiered. The protagonist and mythological character, Kratos (god of war), will be played by Ryan Hurst, who previously voiced Thor in one of the video games in the series. God of War: Ragnarok In this installment, Kratos and his son will have to embark on a journey to the highest peak of Midgard to scatter the ashes of his deceased wife and mother. And although the release date is still unknown, Teresa Palmer and Max Parker are also confirmed as part of the series' cast and crew.

Arcane

League of Legends It's one of the most played video games today. It started in 2009 and has since been the leading competitive title for millions of players. In 2021, Netflix released ArcaneAn animated series set in the world of the video game that captured the attention of its fans, but also those who had never played it. The rivalry between two cities in this fictional world divides families and friends, and delves into the lives of some of the famous champions from the renowned title. The series only lasted two seasons, but thanks to a $250 million investment and its quality, it achieved an average rating of 9 on IMDb.

These video games are not the only examples in the industry that have made, or will make, series, but they are the most high-profile. Other titles, such as Halo, Castlevania, Devil may cry, Dragon quest and CyberpunkThey have also released their productions, but most of them are in animated format.