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Indie video game hit 'Firewatch' is being developed into a movie

By Rick Marshall September 27, 2016

Firewatch — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Hollywood has a spotty history with movies based on video games, but maybe studios have been looking in the wrong places for adaptation fare.

Indie mystery game Firewatch is reportedly being developed into a movie by game developer Campo Santo and movie studio Good Universe, the first project in what the companies hope to be a series of game and movie crossover deals. The 2016 game chronicles the adventure of a fire lookout in 1989 who experiences some strange events while manning his post in the Shoshone National Forest.

“Finding extraordinary content is incredibly exciting, and with the Campo Santo team, we felt an immediate simpatico with their utterly beguiling storytelling and amazing creative instincts,” said Good Universe co-founder Joe Drake in a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter announcing the deal.

The Firewatch game put players in the role of a fire lookout named Henry whose only outside contact is his supervisor, Delilah, whom he communicates with via radio. The game was directed by Jake Rodkin, who previously served as a project leader and writer on Telltale Games’ acclaimed series of games based on The Walking Dead. The game was written by The Walking Dead game’s lead writer, Sean Vanaman.

Mad Men actor Rich Sommer and The Walking Dead voice actress Cissy Jones provided the voice acting for Firewatch. The game has sold more than one million copies so far.

There is currently no timetable for the Firewatch movie to begin production or any creative team attached at this point.

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