Kickboxer Game in the Making by Ex-CoD Devs

Former Call of Duty developers are crafting the first-ever video game based on the iconic Kickboxer film franchise. Force Multiplier Studios, a Los Angeles-based company, is collaborating with Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman, the creative minds behind the recent Kickboxer trilogy reboot, to bring this martial arts action to life in video game form.

The original 1989 Kickboxer film, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, launched a successful franchise. While Van Damme didn't reprise his role in Kickboxer 2, he returned for the 2016 reboot, Kickboxer: Vengeance, alongside Dave Bautista, and its 2018 sequel, Kickboxer: Retaliation. A third installment, Kickboxer: Armageddon, is slated for production this spring.

The Kickboxer video game, currently in early development, promises a blend of compelling storytelling and intense martial arts combat. Force Multiplier Studios assures fans it will feature "iconic characters and locations from the franchise originally starring martial arts icon Jean-Claude Van Damme," creating a high-octane brawler experience.

While the studio remained tight-lipped about Van Damme's involvement, Brent Friedman, Chief Creative Officer at Force Multiplier Studios, confirmed they possess the licenses for numerous characters and likenesses from the Kickboxer universe. Further details are promised later in the year.

Force Multiplier Studios, co-founded by industry veterans Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi (with experience on titles such as Call of Duty, Borderlands, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat), aims to deliver an innovative fighting game.

Dimitri Logothetis, writer and director of Kickboxer: Armageddon, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, highlighting the game's potential to honor the original film while introducing fresh gameplay mechanics.

The studio's previous work includes Karnivus, a combat shooter released within Fortnite. The Kickboxer game, however, represents a significant step up in scale and ambition for the team. Jeremy Breslau, CEO of Force Multiplier Studios, emphasized their commitment to innovation within the fighting genre, promising a dynamic brawler with unique environmental combat mechanics.

Currently, no screenshots or trailers are available. Further information is expected later this year.