Firewatch is added to list of upcoming game-to-movie adaptations

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Depending how you view video games and video game movies this last 12 hours must have really put you in an emotional state. If you would love to see all your favorite games hit the big screen with their own adaptation then you must be jumping for joy, and I have more joy for you to jump over. If you hate video game adaptations then…well…I’m sorry for what I’m about to do.

I am happy (or sorry) to announce that the hit indie game Firewatch will be made into a movie via the partnership of Good Universe and game developer Campo Santo that will develop content for both movies and video games (via THR).  Santo founder Sean Vanaman shared his enthusiasm of the partnership with Universe (who co-produced DON’T BREATHE, NEIGHBORS and THE NIGHT BEFORE) saying:

“When we met Good Universe we were floored by how they recognize, cultivate and produce incredible stories. It’s rare you meet another group that shares so many of your values and makes the process of creating things even more exciting. We can’t wait to see what we make together.”

Universe co-founder Joe Drake went on to praise the Santo's knack for unique storytelling and inventivne gameplay saying:

"Finding extraordinary content is incredibly exciting, and with the Campo Santo team, we felt an immediate simpatico with their utterly beguiling storytelling and amazing creative instincts.”

The coming together of these two small studios means we will probably see a lot of small indie games hitting the big screen, starting with Firewatch, a game that centers on a fire lookout named Henry who goes off into the Wyoming wilderness and starts investigating mysterious and spooky goings-on. During his investigation he is trailed by a shadowy figure with his only communication being with his supervisor, Delilah via walkie-talkie. There’s no word yet on who will play the two characters, but in the game they're voiced by THE WALKING DEAD’s Cissy Jones and MAD MEN’S Rich Sommer, so maybe there’s a start.

I’ve not played the game myself but I’ve heard marvelous things, with people praising the game’s beauty, and nuanced yet creepy storytelling. If it wasn’t already a game I would say it would be a terrific idea for an original movie. The woods are a naturally creepy place, and the simplicity of the plot and storytelling could make for a great, straight-forward mystery movie, as I feel the reason most video game movies suck is because games have a tendency to exist in really complex worlds (see WARCRAFT). But as games become more cinematic they will probably make for better movie adaptations. But only time will tell if great games can make great movies, as this news comes hot on the heels of the exciting (or depressing) news that Gears of War will also be made into a movie, and two months before the release of ASSASSIN'S CREED.  Like I said, you’re either jumping for joy or plotting for revenge. Just don’t hurt me. I’m frail!

Source: THR

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