Director Zack Snyder Befriends Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts has done it again, signing a three game development deal with director Zack Snyder. Snyder, best known for 300 and currently in the production of Watchmen, will be working on the titles from the beginning stages, similar to director Steven Spielberg’s EA deal. Spielberg also signed a three game deal, beginning with his recently released Boom Blox.

Snyder emerged with his remake of Dawn of the Dead, but 300 formally introduced him to comic book/video game fans. Most people have seen the Watchmen trailer and the evolution of the CGI effects that started with 300. Given the talent that Snyder grasps, it is exciting to imagine what he plans to create.

EA is looking to use Snyder as another way to expand games beyond the first tier of consumer. Creating new IPs for the company, but additionally for Snyder, allows films based from these games to be made. The deal between Snyder’s Cruel and Unusual Films company and EA will streamline the transfer of game to film.

Generally, games translated to movies have not done well. Street Fighter, Super Mario Bros, and Double Dragon bring back painful, yet nostalgic memories. In the past decade, the “art” has improved drastically, thankfully. Tomb Raider, Mortal Kombat, and Silent Hill all illustrated faults, but the heart of the games emerged on film for video game fans to watch. However, do not even consider Uwe Boll films.

With Snyder starting on the ground level of production cementing the foundation, the games should carry his unique style. I am looking forward to seeing what Snyder can do. Here is hoping EA does not cage Snyder’s expansive imagination, or at least try to filter it, to produce some intriguing new titles.