DIGITAL GAMES

Army of Two will Target the Big Screen

Videogame publisher Electronic Arts (EA) and Universal Pictures will bring EA’s new franchise “Army of Two” to the big screen. While Scott Stuber will produce the film with EA, Scott Z. Burns will write the screenplay. Production will begin in 2009. 

Universal Pictures, Stuber Productions, and EA are planning to begin production of the film next year. Army of Two, which has grossed over $100 million in sales since its release in March 2008, is the second film project that EA has launched as part of its strategy to move its IP across more entertainment platforms.  

The company is also developing The Sims at 20th Century Fox with producer John Davis.  

“Army of Two is a great project that has already attracted top name talent, and we're glad to be working with Electronic Arts on making this hit game into a film franchise,” said Donna Langley, president of Production at Universal Pictures.  

“Electronic Arts is a pioneer in its field, and I look forward to collaborating with them and the Universal team in taking their cutting-edge storytelling into the world of film,” said producer Scott Stuber.  

“Our goal is to be in business with the highest level artists and producers as we adapt exciting games such as Army of Two into compelling film and television entertainment,” said Patrick O’Brien, vice president of EA Entertainment.  

Army of Two, which shipped earlier this year for the Playstation 3 and the Xbox 360, is a strategic co-operative third-person shooter which features a politically-charged storyline. The game is set in the world of private military contractors and follows the missions of Rios and Salem. After an extensive career in the Rangers, they're drawn into the business of war. However, they quickly learn their employer is as corrupt as the people they're sent to take out.  

Focusing on two-man tactics to ultimately create an advantage no enemy can withstand, players have to fight their way through war, turmoil and a conspiracy so vast it threatens the entire world, explains EA.  Its ESRB Rating is “Mature.” 

The partnership between EA and Universal Pictures is another example of increasing convergence that is taking place between digital gaming and the movie markets. 

Of late, Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group decided to create a video game based on Universal Pictures' action-thriller "Wanted", starring James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, and Angelina Jolie.

The 'Wanted' game, in development since early 2007, will be available for consoles and PCs.

Photo courtesy: EA