New Kickboxing Game from COD Devs: Van Damme Involved?

Former Call of Duty developers are creating the first-ever video game based on the iconic Kickboxer martial arts film franchise. Los Angeles-based Force Multiplier Studios is collaborating with Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman, the filmmakers behind the recent Kickboxer trilogy reboot, to develop this exciting new title.

Jean-Claude Van Damme, the star of the original 1989 Kickboxer film and its subsequent reboots, helped launch the franchise into the cultural stratosphere. While he didn't reprise his role in Kickboxer 2, his return in Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016) alongside Dave Bautista, and Kickboxer: Retaliation (2018), solidified the franchise's enduring appeal. A third installment, Kickboxer: Armageddon, is slated for production this spring.

The Kickboxer video game, currently in early development, promises to blend the franchise's rich narrative with intense, kinetic martial arts action. Force Multiplier Studios describes it as a high-octane brawler featuring iconic characters and locations from the original films.

While IGN inquired about Jean-Claude Van Damme's involvement, Force Multiplier Studios remained tight-lipped. Brent Friedman, Chief Creative Officer, stated, "We're all massive fans of the Kickboxer movies, and we have the licenses to many characters and likenesses from the Kickboxer universe that we're very excited about. We'll have much more to share later in the year."

Force Multiplier Studios, co-founded by Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi, boasts a team with extensive experience in AAA game development, having worked on titles such as Call of Duty, Borderlands, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat.

"*Kickboxer* is more than just a film; it's a cultural phenomenon that has inspired generations of fans and martial artists alike," commented Dimitri Logothetis, writer and director of *Kickboxer: Armageddon*. "I'm thrilled to collaborate with the incredible team at Force Multiplier Studios. We're going to create a gaming experience that pays tribute to the original film while introducing exciting new gameplay elements."

Force Multiplier Studios previously released Karnivus, a combat shooter within Fortnite. However, the Kickboxer game represents a significant step up for the team. Jeremy Breslau, CEO of Force Multiplier Studios, added, “Our passion is innovation, and just as we're innovating on Fortnite Creative with our own environmental combat shooter experience Karnivus, we can’t wait to innovate the fighting genre with a dynamic brawler that will empower players to be the best kickboxers in the world, traveling to exotic locales and introducing new environmental combat mechanics to deliver a martial arts experience like never before.”

Further details, including screenshots and a trailer, are expected later this year.