GamesBeat Summit 2025: Why trust and authenticity are key to Hollywood adaptations
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Summary
Authenticity is the crucial element common to successful video game adaptations for the screen, according to a GamesBeat Summit panel in Los Angeles, with The Last of Us and Minecraft Movie achieving notable successes in recent times.
Listening to fans and taking feedback onto the focus groups are important aspects of authenticity, along with regularly checking in with the original creators, said Baobab Studios CEO Maureen Fan, who highlighted the importance of Gen Z market research.
Pairing gaming properties with the right writers and directors has also proved key to success for films such as Lego and Barbie, said Alcon Interactive president George Collins, who also noted the high cost of bringing bigger gaming IP to the screen, particularly in terms of licensing.
Skydance Interactive head Dan Prigg also highlighted the importance of stories and talent in the adaptation process, with the potential to damage reputations of games and their developers if IP is mishandled.
The need to protect existing revenue streams was also noted by Fan, who recalled refusing a Farmville TV show offer when at Zynga due to the risk to the game’s reputation.