Q&A: Why is it so hard for video game production companies to create a good ‘movie-to-video-game’ adaptation?
Question by lonmanmv05: Why is it so hard for video game production companies to create a good ‘movie-to-video-game’ adaptation?
Alright. First off, let us get things straight. There are a few games out there based on movies that are pretty good. Not going to name any. We all know which ones they are. Second, we are all aware of the rushed production of movie based video games due to the release date of the movie which leads to some pretty lame games.
Now that we have that out of the way, let me get to my real point: “Jurassic Park: The Game.”
Here is the first trailer we see:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7G94FZIoao
WHOA! Hold on to your butts! This game looks sweet! Graphics are a little low quality for this day and age, but who cares? It’s a Jurassic Park game for the modern day console. It’s going to be AWESOME!!!
But then… Something happened…
And we were left with this…
(Be sure to check out 11:11 for great roflmao!)
What the heck? This is not the game from the first video, is it?
*sigh*
It most unfortunately is. The first video gets you amped up expecting Jurassic Park: Resident Evil Style. Then, the gameplay video gives you Jurassic Park: Dragon’s Lair Style. Why? How did this happen? This game could have been so epic! How did they screw up Jurassic Park?
Well, as the famous movie quote goes, video game production companies “will find a way.” Instead of being in full control of your character and interacting with the video game environment; immersing the gamer in this world and putting him in the shoes of the hero, you’re left with: Press this button. Now press this button. Now press this button. And the movie cont… I mean, the game continues. Honestly, that is all this is. It is a movie that keeps pausing itself and forcing you to press a button to unpause it. How is that fun? In the great words of the Angry Video Game Nerd, “What were they thinking?”
Jurassic Park is just the latest. This has been going on for a while now. A great example is Terminator 2 for the NES by LJN. And let’s not even start with the biggest blunder of all, E.T.
Seriously! I know producing a video game takes a lot of time, money, and effort but if you are going to spend that much time on something, at least make sure you get it right. Here are some basic examples of what I am talking about for any game publishers who happen to be reading this:
Jurassic Park: A survival horror (like Resident Evil) where you have to fight your way off an island full of dinosaurs with very limited resources.
Terminator: An action game in which you play as the Terminator or Kyle Reese/John Connor pending timeline. If you are the Terminator, you have a ridiculous health bar that does not replinish. As it goes down, skin tears away and you reveal more of your metal monstrousity. If you’re Kyle Reese or John Connor, you get a basic replenishing health bar. Make sure the Terminators are hard as hell to kill though.
Die Hard: You’re John McClane. You’re practically the biggest badass to ever walk the planet. You can kick butt in many unique ways and have spur of the moment options that allows you to make a crazy decision based on quick button prompts in the midst of your intense battles.
See. Is that so hard? Why is this so hard? Will somebody please explain to me why making such games based on such great movies is such a chore? I just don’t get it… Please! Somebody! Anybody! Why is this so difficult to do?
Best answer:
Answer by Stumpy
it’s often because the companies that make it don’t get enough funding or motivation to make it good. it’s seen as a way for movie producers to get an extra buck from a production. the ones that are good are usually because the creators are fans of the movie and have enough funding (thus we get awesome games like KOTOR)
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