Coffee Talk: Is This Really Necessary?
Now, I know we’ve touched base on something similar to this before, but this is just too good to pass up. Joystiq recently found a new studio named Killspace Studios via Supererogatory and after some digging found they have recently purchased the domains ApocalypseNowGame.com and WarIsNotAGame.net (just sitting there, waiting). 1UP drew the conclusion that the new studio comprised of former developers from studios such as Obsidian and Pandemic as well as a few others might be creating a game surrounding the award winning film, Apocalypse Now.
You know, that award winning Francis Coppola directed film that starred Marlon Brando and Robert Duvall. The same flick that many believe set the standard for cinematography as one of the greatest films of all time. Yeah, that one. Not to mention the studios founding statement by talent agency, Digital Development Management, says the 40-strong team’s specialty is “action” games for the “[Xbox] 360, PS3, Wii, PC, iPhone [and] Facebook”. Oh boy, this ought to be good. 
While I may be jumping the gun here and counting Killspace out before even seeing the title in action, I find it hard to place faith in any studio who would attempt to reinterpret such a work into a video game. This is because, frankly, there isn’t much else to say, imply or depict about the atrocities of the Vietnam War that Coppola and his crew in Apocalypse Now haven’t already addressed vividly.
I finally understand why fans of artistic triumphs and their creators alike get their panties in a bunch when arguable masters of other creative media attempt to recreate their original works. While it has been done tastefully before and even to point of becoming supplemental to the original piece, more times than not it falls short and can cheapen the original as a result.
Francis Ford Coppola on the set of Apocalypse Now
I cannot wait to hear Coppola’s official reactions to his film potentially being reinterpreted into a video game. One could only hope that he’d be interested enough to involve himself directly and potentially turn this game into something that both compliments and does the film justice.It’s a given that these statements are all capable of sliding down the slippery slope, but that’s the beauty of social media (they let you make comments. Amazing, I know).
Now, the talent of Killspace’s founding team isn’t in question at all, to be clear. It’s merely whether an “action game” can balance the action with the emotion and drama of the original work. Simply throwing in Marlon Brando’s digital avatar whimpering, “The horror, the horror” before his iconic death at the game’s end isn’t going to cut it.
Is it disrespectful to automatically assume that Killspace would cheapen the film like this? Probably, but judging from what other developers have done to literary masterpieces one is allowed to be cynical skeptical. So, to channel my inner Michael Myers:
Discuss.
Not the same type of movie, at all, but I had the same feelings when they announced the Scarface game. Luckily, the game was pretty solid which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Maybe this one will push it to the limit?
Bad joke.
While Scarface is, in fact, a different type of movie, I can see where you’re coming from. This is because Scarface wasn’t making as much of an analysis of the drug culture as Apocalypse Now was of the war in Vietnam, in comparison. Rather, Scarface simply sought out to make a statement about what’s generally coming for those who involve themselves in such a life.
In other words, Scarface was more of a “Oh, how the mighty have fallen” film while Apocalypse Now explored the psychological effects of war on the individual. I’m doubtful of how many people got that with the amount of Scarface gear I see claiming he was the “greatest gangster” and whatnot. Now, this is no way discrediting Scarface. It’s a brilliant flick, really. Just not particularly groundbreaking in terms of what film can do like many believe Apocalypse Now is.
This is why I doubt whether an “action game” can tap into the several layers of depth that Coppola provides in the film. If it’s unable to do that, I don’t see much reason in making an attempt at it. However, for a film like Scarface, it works brilliantly as an action game that can recreate impactful scenes from the film and still make that same statement (and possibly even hit it harder than the film could have by literally placing the situation under your control).
Alright, I’ve rambled for too long. Anyone else?
They ruined Scarface and The Godfather when they turned them into video games. (The Godfather games were full of glitches and were mere GTA hacks with some Godfather lure thrown in there.) Apocalypse Now is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen (even though I only just recently saw the whole thing) and it will probably be given the same treatment. I’m not sure there’s much to turn into a video game in all honesty. There’s only a few scenes of actual battle that could even be turned into relevant gameplay. It would take a massive stretch, but most likely, like 98% of all movie tie in games, it will be a stinker that will only capitalize on the Apocalypse Now name, and not at all in storytelling or gameplay merit.
Oops, forgot about this post!
@Joe I wasn’t even thinking in detail about to movies, to be honest. Just a general “maybe they’ll do something creative with the license/ hope for the best” scenario. Now that I think about Apocalypse Now (while back. Last viewing was Redux release on DVD) and if they use the movie itself for the game… ugh.
@Novak Maybe they can make a Deer Hunter (movie) FPS game next?
@Dao Thanks for clearing that up. Let’s hope the studio take an approach where they explore the Apocalypse Now universe rather than a direct interpretation of the film.
However, that cynical bastard of a devil on my shoulder can’t help but think that if this were the case, the name would merely serve to sell discs. I’ll try as I might to remain optimistic.
You know what I want? A game based off of The Graduate. I can see it now:
“Assume the role of Benjamin Braddock as he avoids seduction by the cradle-robber Mrs. Robinson through an exciting series of mini games like ‘Stop Staring at Her Chest’ and ‘Escape the Snooty Neighbor’s House’. Remember to keep your guitar controller and microphone handy to make sure Simon and Garfunkle stick to the soundtrack!”
Now where is that phone call from EA?
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