Why the John Wick Game Could Be the Best Tie-In Yet

The John Wick film franchise has officially entered the video game world, promising a blockbuster adaptation.

Revealed during PlayStation’s State of Play showcase, the surprise announcement immediately captured global attention.

And to add to the excitement, the game features the voice and likeness of Keanu Reeves.

The game is being developed by Saber Interactive, the studio celebrated for the massive success of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2.

They are collaborating directly with franchise director Chad Stahelski to ensure the project retains the films’ distinctive DNA.

With a narrative set during a specific period within the John Wick timeline, we look at why this could be the best video game tie-in.

A History of Proven Talent

There have been plenty of video game tie-ins, with mixed results.

Whilst GoldenEye 007 is regarded as a classic, other titles such as Catwoman were cheaply put together for no other reason than to make a quick buck off its cinematic counterpart.

The John Wick title appears to be taking a vastly different approach by assembling a team with verified pedigree.

Saber Interactive has demonstrated its ability to deliver hit games such as Evil Dead and the Halo franchise.

This track record is vital for a franchise that has earned more than £735 million worldwide.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief and co-founder of The Game Business, noted that the new project felt like a “strong match-up” of genre, intellectual property (IP) and developer.

Concerns were raised by some fans regarding Saber’s workload, specifically questioning what the announcement meant for the studio’s long-awaited remake of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

However, industry experts remain confident in the developer’s capacity.

Describing Saber as a “collection of studios working across multiple IP”, Dring said it can release “multiple games a year across all different genres”.

This suggests that the John Wick project will receive dedicated resources without compromising other titles.

Crucially, the game features the active participation of the film’s creative architects.

Matthew Karch, chief executive at Saber Interactive, said the team was “honoured” to be working alongside Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves to “bring the world of Wick to life” in a blockbuster game.

Reeves is no stranger to video games, having played the leading role of Johnny Silverhand in the smash hit Cyberpunk 2077.

His return to play the assassin is a major coup. It signals that this is a premium production, not a budget cash-grab.

Engineering Authentic ‘Gun-Fu’

The primary challenge in adapting John Wick is translating the film franchise’s “gun-fu” combat, a seamless blend of martial arts and firearms, into a controller-based experience.

Standard shooter mechanics often feel too clunky to replicate the fluid, balletic violence of the movies.

Saber Interactive seems acutely aware of this hurdle.

The team has confirmed they are building a “distinct combat system from the ground up to ensure we stay credible to the iconic style of John Wick“.

This bespoke approach is necessary to capture the specific rhythm of the films.

Jenefer Brown, president of global products at John Wick producer Lionsgate, said the upcoming game hoped to capture the “unparalleled action” and “brand-defining fight choreography” of the films.

The developers aim to create “new, high-stakes, fully interactive mechanics that make players feel like they are in a John Wick movie, by playing the role of the Baba Yaga himself”.

The ambition extends beyond just shooting mechanics.

The game will incorporate “intense driving experiences” and the franchise’s signature visual language.

Elements like the “unique use of camerawork” and “notable bold and cinematic environments” will also be integrated to enhance the interactive experience.

The goal is to produce something that “blurs the line between movies and video games”, creating a flow state where the player feels as competent and dangerous as Wick himself.

If successful, this mechanics-first philosophy could set a new benchmark for action games.

Expanding the Franchise’s Lore

Narratively, the decision to create an original story is the right one.

Retelling the plot of any of the films would rob the game of tension, as players already know the outcome.

Instead, the developers are crafting an original story “tailored for mature audiences”.

The studio explained that the game addresses a significant time in John Wick’s life, featuring well-known and iconic characters, as well as compelling new characters specifically created for this production.

It is possible that the game will explore the events before the first film, providing an opportunity to flesh out new characters while bringing back familiar faces from the series.

The environment will play a starring role in this narrative expansion.

The films are famous for their neon-soaked, noir aesthetics, and the game aims to replicate this atmosphere.

Neo-noir environments will contribute in a big way, creating a thrilling experience.

The team emphasised that “John Wick is about the fine details and iconography present throughout various locations”, suggesting a game world dense with environmental storytelling.

By treating the setting and lore with the same respect as the combat, Saber Interactive is positioning this title as a legitimate expansion of the John Wick universe.

The Untitled John Wick Game possesses all the ingredients required to break the cycle of mediocre video game tie-ins to movies.

By combining the technical expertise of Saber Interactive with the creative vision of Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves, the project stands on a solid foundation of talent.

The commitment to a custom-built combat engine, rather than recycled assets, demonstrates a respect for the source material’s unique physical language.

Furthermore, an original story offers a fresh perspective on the lore rather than a predictable rehash.

While execution remains key, and fans will be watching closely, the current trajectory suggests this could indeed be the best movie-based video game yet.