Voice actor Ben Starr, known for his work in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, argues that video games do not require film or television adaptations to prove their worth as a medium.
The Hollywood Gold Rush
Video games have become the primary source of inspiration for modern Hollywood, with titles like Mortal Kombat 2 and Street Fighter currently in the pipeline following the success of recent projects like The Super Mario Bros. Movie. While Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is also being considered for a screen adaptation, Starr contends that the industry is powerful enough to stand on its own without needing approval from film and TV executives.
“TV Needs Us, Film Needs Us”
Speaking at the BAFTA Games Awards, Starr expressed his perspective on the current trend of adapting gaming IPs. “I don’t think video games need adaptations to justify them,” he stated. “It’s a testament to the power of video games that so many people want to go to the well of games.”
Starr noted the industry’s influence on production companies, citing projects like the upcoming God of War series and Assassin’s Creed adaptations. “Good luck to them. I don’t think we need them. I think TV needs us, I think film needs us,” he added.
Expanding the Audience
Despite his stance on the necessity of adaptations, Starr acknowledges that they can serve a purpose in reaching new audiences. He pointed to the success of The Last of Us and the renewed interest in Fallout 4 following the Amazon Prime series as positive outcomes of cross-media pollination.
“It’s nice because it allows games to expand beyond the remit of gamers,” Starr explained. “If it means that more people can play video games, the better. But I don’t think video games need to justify their existence by being TV shows. They are great because they are games.”
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is being cited as a prime example of how subscription services, such as Xbox Game Pass, may help drive sales and visibility for new titles.
Leave a Reply