Film studios have employed so many different tactics in an effort to promote and celebrate their movies through the years, from developing merchandise to linking up with fast-food chains for some special promotions.
However, one area which Hollywood has turned to time and time again as it promotes blockbusters is the world of gaming and, with Ravensberger recently launching a board game based on the Steven Spielberg classic Jaws, we thought it was a good time to reflect on the special relationship between the two areas.
A long history
When it comes to discussing the relationship between gaming and the movies, it only feels right to begin with looking at the world of video game tie-ins. It is thought that the Raiders of the Lost Ark video game released for the Atari 2600 in 1982 was the first-ever licensed movie video game and it is fair to say that a host of different titles have following in its wake.
Some have been good, many have been bad, but a handful have gone on to stand the test of time. Take Rare’s adaptation of Goldeneye for example, which was a huge hit upon its release for the Nintendo 64 in the late 1990s and is now widely regarding as one of the best games ever made. Treyarch’s Spider-Man 2 game was also much-loved, while in more recent years Alien: Isolation did a great job of bringing the sci-fi horror franchise to life.
However, while console and PC titles may dominate many people’s thoughts when it comes to movies being adapted into gaming, the new Jaws board game highlights how many other takes on big screen properties have been created through the years.
Many other areas
It may in fact surprise you to discover that a host of movies have had the board game treatment in the past, from the likes of Top Gun and Planet of the Apes to perhaps less obvious choices such as Escape from New York and even Blade Runner.
Fast forward to the 21st century and many big screen blockbusters have also found a second life in the world of casino gaming. Online slots UK provider Moon Games is one of a number which offers games based on big-screen hits, with – again – Planet of the Apes making an appearance on its site alongside the hit comedy Ted and A Nightmare on Elm Street.
Another common place to see big-screen properties pop up is in the world of Top Trumps, with Harry Potter, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings being among the franchises to have been immortalised in the much-loved card game.
Set to continue?
All of this undoubtedly highlights how the movie world has had a long relationship with gaming, including in ways that you may not have initially realised.
Movie games give us a chance to step into the shoes of our favorite big-screen characters and at this point, it is hard to bet against the trend continuing for many years to come.
