Summary
Former narrative and design leads fromCall of Dutyare developing the first-everKickboxervideo game. The game is based on the popularKickboxermovie franchise and is being made by Force Multiplier Studios, a new studio founded by formerCall of Duty,Borderlands, andHalodevelopers.
Martial arts are popular in both the movie industryand video games. From old classics likeStreet Fighterto popular indie games likeSifu, the action genre has plenty of good examples of games that introduce elements of martial arts. There are also many action video games inspired by movies, especially during the PlayStation 1 era. Titles likeGoldenEye,Die Hard, andKing Kongmade their way into the video game industry due to their popularity in cinema. Now, a popular martial arts movie franchise,Kickboxer, is set to make its first entry into the video game industry.
Working alongside Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman (the filmmakers in charge of the rebootedKickboxertrilogy), formerCall of Dutydevelopers are adapting thepopular Hollywood martial arts movie. As revealed by developers at Force Multiplier Studios, the project is still in its early stages and will bring players “an intense, high-octane brawler.” Force Multiplier also mentioned that the game will feature iconic characters and locations thatKickboxerfans will recognize.
Devs Promise an ‘Intense, High-Octane Brawler’ for Kickboxer Game
Speaking to IGN, the Chief Creative Officer at Force Multiplier Studios commented that the studio has the licenses for many characters and likenesses from theKickboxermovies but doesn’t want to disclose any details yet. TheKickboxer: Armageddondirector assured the audience that the team is working to bring players an experience that respects the original movies while properly adapting them to the video game medium. Moreover, the CEO of Force Multiplier Studios commented on the team’s desire to innovate withinthe fighting game genre, while teasing features like environmental combat and exotic locales to deliver a “martial arts experience like never before.”
Martial arts filmmaking has been greatly influenced by the popular American action movie franchiseKickboxer. In the original 1989 film, renowned actor Jean-Claude Van Damme plays Kurt Sloane, a character who seeks vengeance against Tong Po (Michel Qissi) after his brother is paralyzed in a kickboxing match.
Force Multiplier Studios hasn’t revealed too many details about what kindof action video gameKickboxerwill be, and it is still unclear if it will feature Jean-Claude Van Damme, as the developer wants to keep things under wraps. There is still a long way to go before players are able to play the title, but more information is likely to come over the course of 2025.
