Legal From James Bond to Legally Blonde, MGM focused on "modernised nostalgia" in video games push

Legal Hollywood has had an odd relationship with the video games industry over the decade or so. While every major action or family film was once accompanied by a tie-in game, studios have instead turned to simple mobile adaptations and in-game events or integrations into established titles like Fortnite.But in recent years we’ve seen more movie franchises being adapted into high-end games that act as standalone entries rather than glorified merchandise — most notably from Disney and its ever-growing portfolio of blockbuster IP.Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (more commonly known as MGM or ‘the one with the lion’) is also working to establish itself more in the video games space, which Robert Marick, the company’s executive vice president for global consumer products and experiences, tells us is “a significant area” that can “elevate our properties and brands.”Robert Marick, MGM”Gaming has really taken a lion’s share in terms of how consumers are viewing and consuming brands, and sharing their fandom,” he says. “Gen Z and millennials are looking at gaming opportunities to understand properties more than they do with TV or film.”It’s an area that’s been underleveraged on the MGM side for many, many years.”The company has been paying particularly close attention to how the likes of Disney and Warner Bros have been expanding their franchises with video games. Matthew Suser — who, when we spoke to him, was director of MGM’s interactive business development but recently moved to Amazon — points to Insomniac’s Spider-Man games as examples; both titles are authentic experiences that stay true to the franchise but also provide something specific for the video game space.”That’s something we’re seeking to accomplish as well,” he says. “Disney, Warner Bros and our other studio counterparts have done a fantastic job in the space as of late. When I look at Disney’s new announcements, I get inspired myself. “We want these games to stand on their own with or without new films or TV shows being greenlit. Our unique value proposition at MGM is that we’re providing nostalgia, but modernised nostalgia.”Like its rivals, MGM has a strong portfolio of IP with over 4,000 films to its name. Marick points to the current “cream of the crop” MGM is hoping to explore with video games: James Bond, Legally Blonde, Pink Panther, Addams Family, Rocky, Creed, Robocop, Stargate and Vikings: Valhalla.Suser points out that not only do all of these “have nostalgia associated with them,” most have been largely absent from video games for years, if not decades. (I may have mentioned the lack of James Bond games before)”We want these games to stand on their own with or without new films or TV shows. We’re providing nostalgia, but modernised nostalgia” Matthew Suser, MGMMGM is already working on rectifying this. Last year saw the unveiling of IO Interactive’s Project 007, and the company has announced a Legally Blonde mobile game is in development. An Addams Family game was released in 2019, Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions launches this week, and there are plans for a Pink Panther
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