Has Hollywood’s approach to video game adaptations evolved too greatly and perhaps become excessive?

Within the past 15 years, there has been a high demand for nostalgic and fan-favorite video games being adapted into movies and TV shows. We started this journey back in the golden age of the late ’80s when the Super Mario Bros. Super Show! was first created. Now, we have a plethora of adaptations including Arcane, Fallout, Borderlands, The Witcher, The Last of Us, and many more. For kids of the ’80’s, watching your favorite video game character in a TV show was mind-blowing! It was like two worlds colliding, emerging this new creation of video game media into society. 

What is the overall goal of all of these adaptations? If we have already played the game, what makes seeing B-list actors performing the same scenes? I believe that while it is repetitively unnecessary, the effort that goes into these TV shows and movies is greatly appreciated. After watching the Fallout series on Amazon Prime, I remembered why I fell in love with the game franchise in the first place. Others on the opposing side of this argument believe in the term “gatekeeping” and want to keep these precious video games in their bubble of a world, not letting those who haven’t played the game in. 

This raises the question of how often the same story can be told. The objective of television shows like Fallout, The Last of Us, and the upcoming Borderlands holds an insurmountable amount of power. The players of these games fell in love with a concept — an idea or even possibly a reflection of a morality they wish they held. The characters form a tight rope of bond that burns out flesh when it feels it is being ripped away by adulthood. Thus, we cling to this seething pain of melancholy to remember what it is like to feel young and free. It also gives the players a chance to see a world they have played hundreds of times, in a fresh light with a possible new perspective. Decide for yourself and check out the first few episodes of Fallout on Amazon Prime!

As much as I have enjoyed these TV shows and movie adaptations, I would have to agree that it is starting to lose its spontaneity. When I was younger and started falling in love with a video game, I had already created the world inside my head with my own ideas of the characters, story line, etc. With the sudden rise in the adaptations, I lose that sense of imagination and am forced to watch celebrities that I already see everyday on television, play these roles. If Hollywood were to create a Mass Effect movie, I think I would break down into a fit of rage. Some things are perfect as they are and the imitation of art loses its objective. 

Do you think Hollywood has gone overboard with the adaptations? Is there a game you would like to see animated or televised? Share your thoughts with us on the Boss Rush Discord. 

Featured Image: Amazon Prime

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