Kickboxer Game by Ex-Call of Duty Devs: Will Jean-Claude Van Damme Star?

Excitement is brewing in the gaming world as former Call of Duty developers from Los Angeles-based Force Multiplier Studios announce their latest project: the first ever video game inspired by the iconic Kickboxer martial arts film franchise. In collaboration with filmmakers Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman, who spearheaded the recent Kickboxer trilogy reboot, this game promises to bring the beloved franchise to life in a whole new way.

The Kickboxer film series kicked off in 1989 with Jean-Claude Van Damme leading the charge. Its success led to numerous sequels. Although Van Damme opted out of Kickboxer 2 to star in 1991's Double Impact, he returned to the franchise with the 2016 reboot, Kickboxer: Vengeance, alongside Dave Bautista, followed by Kickboxer: Retaliation in 2018. The third installment, Kickboxer: Armageddon, is slated to begin filming this spring.

Currently in early development, the Kickboxer video game aims to blend the franchise's rich narrative with intense, high-octane martial arts action. Force Multiplier Studios assures fans that the game will feature iconic characters and locations from the series, originally starring martial arts legend Jean-Claude Van Damme.

While it's unclear if Van Damme will reprise his role in the game, Force Multiplier Studios' Chief Creative Officer, Brent Friedman, hinted at exciting possibilities: "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 industry veterans Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi, brings a wealth of experience from their work on blockbuster titles like Call of Duty, Borderlands, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat. Their commitment to delivering top-notch gaming experiences is evident in their first release, Karnivus, a combat shooter launched within Fortnite.

Dimitri Logothetis, writer and director of Kickboxer: Armageddon, expressed his enthusiasm for the project: "Kickboxer is more than just a film; it's a cultural phenomenon that has inspired generations of fans and martial artists alike. 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."

Jeremy Breslau, CEO of Force Multiplier Studios, shared his vision for the game: "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."

While we eagerly await further details, including screenshots and trailers, the Kickboxer video game is shaping up to be a thrilling addition to the franchise, promising to captivate both fans and newcomers alike. Stay tuned for more updates later this year.