Former Call of Duty developers are crafting the first-ever video game adaptation of the iconic Kickboxer film franchise. Force Multiplier Studios, a Los Angeles-based developer, is collaborating with Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman, the creative minds behind the recent Kickboxer trilogy reboot, to bring this martial arts action to life in video game form.
The original 1989 Kickboxer film, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, launched a successful franchise. While Van Damme didn't reprise his role in the sequel, he returned for the 2016 reboot, Kickboxer: Vengeance, and its 2018 follow-up, Kickboxer: Retaliation. A third installment, Kickboxer: Armageddon, is slated for production this spring.
The Kickboxer video game, currently in early development, promises a thrilling blend of narrative and action. According to Force Multiplier Studios, it will "combine the rich narrative of Kickboxer with kinetic martial arts action to deliver an intense, high-octane brawler, featuring iconic characters and locations from the franchise."
While the involvement of Jean-Claude Van Damme remains unconfirmed, Force Multiplier Studios assures fans they possess the licenses for numerous characters and likenesses from the Kickboxer universe. Brent Friedman, Chief Creative Officer, stated, "We're all massive fans of the Kickboxer movies... We'll have much more to share later in the year."
Force Multiplier Studios, co-founded by industry veterans Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi (with experience on titles like Call of Duty, Borderlands, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat), brings considerable expertise to the project.
Dimitri Logothetis, writer and director of Kickboxer: Armageddon, expressed his enthusiasm: "Kickboxer is more than just a film; it's a cultural phenomenon... We're going to create a gaming experience that pays tribute to the original film while introducing exciting new gameplay elements."
The studio's previous work includes Karnivus, a combat shooter released within Fortnite. However, the Kickboxer game represents a significant step up in scale and ambition for the team. Jeremy Breslau, CEO of Force Multiplier Studios, added, "Our passion is innovation... we can’t wait to innovate the fighting genre with a dynamic brawler that will empower players to be the best kickboxers in the world."
Further details, including screenshots and a trailer, are expected later in the year.
