Horizon: PlayStation's Potential Big Screen Success with Game Loyalty

Following the successful cinematic adaptations of Uncharted and The Last of Us, Sony has announced that Horizon Zero Dawn is set to make its way to the big screen. PlayStation Studios and Columbia Pictures have confirmed the development of a movie that will explore Aloy’s origin story and the game's unique, machine-filled world. While the project is still in its early stages, there's a strong potential for this to be Sony's first major video game success at the box office, provided it remains faithful to the source material.

In recent years, video game adaptations have seen notable successes across both television and cinema. Films like The Super Mario Brothers and Sonic have set high standards, appealing to family audiences and achieving strong box office results. On the small screen, The Last of Us has become a fan favorite, alongside shows like Netflix's Arcane and Amazon Prime's Fallout. Even adaptations with mixed reviews, such as the Uncharted movie starring Tom Holland, have managed to perform well financially, grossing over $400 million.

However, the "video game curse" still lingers, as not all adaptations have been successful. Uncharted did not meet the expectations of fans who hoped for a more faithful adaptation. Recent failures like the Borderlands film and Amazon's Like a Dragon: Yakuza series highlight the importance of staying true to the original game's storyline, lore, and tone. These adaptations failed to capture the essence of the worlds that fans love, resulting in poor critical and box office performance.

The broader challenge of adaptations is evident in shows like Netflix's The Witcher, which has significantly deviated from its source material, altering events, characters, and tone. While adaptations often require adjustments to fit the new medium, drastic changes can alienate the original fanbase, leading to disappointment and potential failure.

Returning to Horizon, this isn't the first attempt to bring the game to screens. Netflix had previously announced a series in 2022, with rumors of a project titled "Horizon 2074" set in the pre-apocalypse era. This direction was met with mixed reactions from fans who preferred a story that closely followed the original game and included its iconic robot animals. Fortunately, the Netflix project is no longer in development, and Horizon is now slated for a cinematic release. The increased budget of a movie will allow for the necessary CGI to bring the game's visuals to life on the big screen.

If Horizon receives the same careful treatment as The Last of Us, it has the potential to be PlayStation's first major cinematic success. The success of Fallout, Arcane, and The Last of Us demonstrates the importance of staying true to the source material's visuals, tone, and story. The Last of Us managed to craft new storylines while maintaining the narrative structure of the game, which resonated with both fans and new audiences. Similarly, Horizon should stay faithful to its acclaimed story.

Horizon Zero Dawn won the Best Narrative award at The Game Awards in 2017 and the Outstanding Achievement in Story award at the 2018 DICE awards, underscoring the quality of its narrative. Set in the 31st century, the game follows Aloy, a member of the Nora Tribe, as she unravels the mystery of her origins and their connection to Elisabet Sobeck, a scientist from the old world. The game's world is rich with detailed communities and settlements, offering a compelling backdrop for a film franchise. The unique cultures and robotic creatures, such as Sawtooths, Tallnecks, and Stormbirds, add depth and visual splendor to the story.

The game's worldbuilding is ripe for a cinematic adaptation, much like James Cameron's Avatar series, which delves into the culture of the Na'vi tribes. A Horizon film could explore how tribes like the Nora protect themselves from robotic hunters, with thrilling combat encounters featuring the game's iconic creatures. The story of Horizon is compelling and, if followed closely, could translate well to film.

What sets Horizon apart is its meticulous storytelling and unique world, which feels distinctly cinematic. With the expanded narrative of Horizon Forbidden West, there's a vast canvas for the franchise to explore. If Sony carefully adapts this material, Horizon could become a long-term cinematic success, matching the achievements of its source material across multiple PlayStation generations.

To ensure a successful adaptation, it's crucial to preserve the elements that made the game a hit. With other Sony titles like Ghost of Tsushima and Helldivers 2 also slated for film and TV adaptations, a faithful approach to Horizon could set a positive precedent. However, straying too far from what made Horizon great could invite fan backlash and financial difficulties, as seen with other failed adaptations. Sony and its chosen filmmakers must recognize the value of Horizon and stay true to its essence to avoid disappointing fans and audiences alike.