The Video Game Connection
It’s no secret that video games have been a major influence in popular culture for decades. The rise of eSports and streaming has only further solidified their place as a form of entertainment, attracting millions of fans from around the world. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that many people believe that the Pacific Rim franchise is based on a video game.
One of the main pieces of evidence supporting this claim is the fact that the movie was released alongside a video game. The Pacific Rim: Jaeger Pilot was a mobile game that was developed by Relic Entertainment and released in 2013, just before the release of the first Pacific Rim movie. This coincidence led many people to believe that the franchise was based on the game, rather than the other way around.
Furthermore, the movie features several elements that are commonly found in video games. For example, the Jaegers are large, powerful machines that can be controlled by humans, while the Kaiju are massive monsters that pose a threat to humanity. These elements can be found in many other video games, including the popular series Gundam and the movie Transformers.
The Impact of Video Games on the Pacific Rim Franchise
While there may be some evidence to suggest that the Pacific Rim franchise is based on a video game, it’s important to note that this is not necessarily the case. The impact of video games on the franchise has been significant, however, and has helped to shape its development in various ways.
One of the most notable examples of this is the inclusion of the Jaeger Pilot mobile game. As mentioned earlier, this game was released alongside the first Pacific Rim movie, and was designed to tie into the franchise’s mythology. The game allowed players to take control of their own Jaegers and battle against Kaiju in various levels. It was a huge success, with millions of downloads and positive reviews from both critics and fans.
The inclusion of video games in the Pacific Rim franchise has also led to the development of other forms of merchandise and content. For example, the game’s popularity has inspired the creation of figurines, clothing, and even board games based on the franchise. This has helped to expand the franchise’s reach beyond just movies and TV shows, and has allowed it to become a more diverse form of entertainment.
Case Studies: How Video Games Have Influenced Other Media Franchises
The impact of video games on media franchises is not limited to the Pacific Rim franchise alone. Many other franchises have been influenced by video games, either directly or indirectly.
Here are a few examples:
- The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies – While there has never been a direct adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works into a video game, the popularity of video games like World of Warcraft and The Elder Scrolls series have inspired many fans to create their own versions of Middle-earth in the form of fan fiction and artwork.
- Star Wars – The iconic video game series “Star Fox” was created in 1985 and has since become a staple of Nintendo’s library. The game’s influence can be seen in the franchise’s mythology, with characters like Master Chief from Halo being heavily inspired by Fox McCloud from Star Fox.
- Super Mario Bros – The success of Super Mario Bros. has led to the creation of numerous video games, merchandise, and even theme park attractions based on the franchise. The influence of video games on this franchise cannot be overstated.
The Future of Media Franchises and Video Games
The future of media franchises and video games looks bright, with new forms of entertainment emerging all the time.