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An independent UK film and TV finance and production company, Goldfinch, is searching for 10 games to “translate into other storytelling formats” such as feature film, television, short film, podcasts, or graphic novels.
Goldfinch – which says it has produced 200+ entertainment projects across film, TV, games and more – plans to have “a maximum of 10 projects ready for development before Christmas”.
“We want to find the most compelling heroes and absorbing worlds created by games developers using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine and turn them into feature films, TV series, or episodic short form content,” the company said. “This is your chance to bring your game universe to the masses, providing the biggest possible reach for your work.”
Developers with “unique” IPs and have created their games in Epic Games’ Unreal Engine have until October 31st to submit their applications. For more, check out the submission policy.
“We’re looking to expand upon the tales of compelling heroes and absorbing worlds being told within the gaming landscape. Our desire is to turn these 10 IP’s, built within the Unreal Engine, into feature films, TV series or episodic short-form content, exposing their rich narratives and characters an even larger audience,” said Goldfinch COO Phil McKenzie.
“This is an exciting initiative that will help Unreal developers reach new audiences through different mediums,” added Mike Gamble, head of games licensing EMEA at Epic Games. “Goldfinch has a successful track record in creating these creative extensions and we’re delighted to be working with them to help identify suitable projects.”
The project follows a number of high-profile video game adaptions coming to screens both big and small, including a new animated TV show based upon the fan-favourite Cuphead, which is coming to Netflix. Earlier this year, it was also confirmed Ubisoft was strengthening its TV offering with a series and a Netflix movie in the works. Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet will be Ubisoft Film and Television’s first live-action comedy series, whilst a Netflix film based upon Tom Clancy’s The Division starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Chastain is headed to Netflix. The Division will be directed by David Leitch (Deadpool 2), with Rafe Judkins (Marvel’s Agents of Shield) working on the screenplay.
A live-action series based upon Square Enix’s MMO RPG Final Fantasy XIV is also in development by Sony Pictures Television and Hivemind, the company also bringing The Witcher to Netflix. Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering creator Wizards of the Coast has also announced it is partnering with Netflix and the Russo Brothers to produce a Magic: The Gathering animated series. The Russos will oversee “the creation of an all-new storyline and expand on the stories of the Planeswalkers, which are Magic’s unique magic-wielding heroes and villains as they contend with stakes larger than any one world can hold”.
Update 7/10: Epic Games has reached out to MCV to clarify that whilst helping to “identify suitable projects”, this is not an Epic/Unreal-led initiative. We have amended the copy to reflect this.
