Warner Bros. To Release Episodic Watchmen Game [UPDATE] News
Gwynne Dixon
24/07/2008
A downloadable episodic Watchmen game will release on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC alongside the film...
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has announced that a downloadable episodic game, based on the Watchmen film that's due out next year, will be coming to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC in 2009.
Anybody who's ever stepped foot in a comic book shop is probably familiar with the Watchmen graphic novel (you'll find it on the vast majority of 'Suggested Reading' shelves) and, alongside Frank Miller's early work, the 12 issue comic book series revolutionised the way we perceive superhero characters when it was originally published during 1986 and '87.
The film is currently being produced under the auspices of Warner Bros., Paramount, and Legendary Pictures. Zack Snyder (whose previous work includes 300) has the directing responsibilities, while David Hayter (the voice of Metal Gear Solid's Snake) is amongst the screenplay's writers.
Exactly what form this downloadable episodic game will take is unclear at the moment, although Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has referred to the game as a "mature action-brawler". It's also unclear whether the episodic content will be released in increments, or all at the same time. Additionally, the pricing of these downloads is yet to be announced.
"We're bringing the Watchmen universe to gamers in a distinct episodic game revealing action and combat for a great overall experience for fans," said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Production and Development, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. "The filmmakers have been extremely helpful in developing the high-quality game story and we are working to match the outstanding visual style of the film."
Although the Watchmen's illustrator, Dave Gibbons, is very much in favour of the film project, Alan Moore (who wrote the comics) has not been so enthusiastic in his past comments. Although Moore has previously stated that David Hayter's screenplay was "as close as I could imagine anyone getting to Watchmen", he has also stated that he has no intentions of watching the film when it's made and has refused to have his name associated with the project. We're guessing he's not too excited about this episodic game series either then.
[UPDATE] After this article went to press, more details arose regarding how the portions of episodic content will be delivered for Watchmen.
Variety reports that two portions of episodic content are planned for the game (one when the film is released and another alongside the DVD launch). It seems Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is experimenting with a new model for film licensed games with Watchmen, as Senior Vice-President of Production and Development, Samantha Ryan, explains:
"What we're trying to do with Watchmen is create the best quality game that delivers the experience fans expect from what we believe to be a great movie and a great property. Rather than the more traditional 'time is limited squeeze the puppy onto the market' route, we wanted to craft something that's the best possible game it can be."
Ryan continues, "It's not a 10 or 20 hour retail game. But it's a solid game experience for what it is and will be priced appropriately."
"There will be a chunk with the film release. Several hours of gameplay with the film," adds Ryan. "After that there's another. They're both about equal in length."
