How Do Popular Video Games Compare to Their Film Crossovers?

It’s no secret that increasing numbers of video games are being turned into movies., with the demand for crossover content now at an all-time high. However, few developers have perfected the art of game-to-film transition. That said, there are numerous examples of films matching the pre-existing popularity of their video game inspirations. With that, let’s take a look at some successful crossover experiments. 

Numerous Games Have Made the Transition to Film
In 1993, id Software released Doom. The first-person shooter captivated gamers during the early-1990s, with Doomguy seeking to battle off hordes of demons. Available on the Microsoft Disk Operating System, the franchise’s highly-successful release laid the foundations for expansion. In 1994, id Software developed Doom II: Hell on Earth, while Doom 3 hit the shelves in 2004. 

Because of the interest that the much-loved series attracted, Doom became a film in 2005. Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, the science fiction movie expanded on the video game franchise’s success during the 90s and early-2000s. Following its release, the film starring Dwayne Johnson and Rosamund Pike registered sales of $15.48 million in the first weekend. In total, global box office figures indicate that the title generated $58.7 million. 



Furthermore, while Doom made a name for itself within the film industry, it also influenced other releases. In 2009, Gamer hit the big screen. Described by IMDb as taking place in a Doom-type environment, Brian Taylor’s and Mark Neveldine’s creation focuses on human control through online video games. Accumulatively, the development grossed at $42 million, which is only fractionally less than Doom. 

Laying the Foundations for Further Opportunities 
Aside from the above science-fiction creations, Tomb Raider has been at the forefront of game-to-film crossovers. Dating back to 1996, the franchise’s protagonist, Lara Croft, has undoubtedly become one of the gaming industry’s most iconic characters. Over the years, intrigue in the fictional archeologist has opened the door to cinematic opportunities. At the time of writing, there are currently three Tomb Raider films on the market, the latest of which features Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft. Prior to the 2018 Tomb Raider film, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life became available in 2001 and 2003, respectively. 



As touched on above, the entertainment industry has found significant potential in the Tomb Raider franchises. This has seen it expand beyond the film sector, with online casinos seeking to take advantage of the theme’s popularity.

Nowadays, the series' fans can find Tomb Raider-inspired games at many of the casinos listed at Best New Bingo Sites. As such, Sue Dawson from Best New Bingo Sites states that “video games are a rich source of inspiration for online slot game providers and as well as various Tomb Raider games, we’ve seen slots based on other video game classics including Street Fighter 2 and the Nokia phone game Snake”.

Along with bingo bonuses, the above platform also lists slot promotions, allowing users to fully immerse themselves in Lara Croft: Temples and Tombs, for example. 

A Future of Crossovers? 
Ultimately, the above showcases that action-oriented titles typically perform well when crossing over into the film industry. Their edge-of-the-seat nature makes them captivating, while viewers can connect with the protagonist due to a prior connection. In the future, gamers should perhaps expect more crossovers of this ilk.