Microsoft's Xbox Going Hollywood

Posted Thursday, March 7, 2002 at 9:49 AM Central

by Tim Briscoe

In a new strategy to win the video game console war, Microsoft has enlisted the help of a prominent Hollywood talent agency. Microsoft Games Studio will use Creative Artists Agency to pitch its popular Xbox game titles to studios for possible movie and TV deals.

The software giant hopes to build synergy and demand for its games through live-action films. The Starship Troopers-esque sci-fi epic Halo is an early favorite for big screen adoption. The title has sold over 800,000 copies since its introduction late last year.

"The big push from movie studios is that they want tentpole films with sequel potential, and Xbox content offers many possibilities," says a CAA rep on Microsoft's movie franchise-building prospects. Hollywood also wants to tap game manufacturers' enormous creative ability. "In creating these games, developers go to great lengths in developing complex characters with individual histories and massive universes."

Movies based on video games are almost commonplace these days. Films like Super Mario Bros., Mortal Kombat and Double Dragon have had varied box office performances. Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within and the upcoming Resident Evil are more recent films to use video games as source material.