Transmedia Projects
Ongoing coverage on Transmedia Projects.
Latest coverage
Turns out, a lot of Sega's biggest fans don't play its videogames: 'In some cases, their engagement is…
Sega president Shuji Utsumi noted that a significant portion of fans for series like Yakuza engage with the IP through merchandise and media, rather than playing the games themselves. This highlights the growing importance of transmedia strategies in building brand interest and fan engagement, even among non-gamers.
Sega says it makes more money from people who don’t play their games
Sega president Shuji Utsumi stated that the company generates significant revenue from individuals who engage with its franchises through adaptations and livestreams rather than playing the games directly. This transmedia strategy, including movies and merchandise, is seen as a successful way to expand IP reach and engagement, sometimes even surpassing that of actual players.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 makes $11m in 2 weeks on PS5 and Steam thanks to Brand New Day, reports analyst: "One of the clearest transmedia halo effects we've ever measured"
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has experienced a significant surge in sales and player engagement on PlayStation 5 and PC, driven by the release of the new movie "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." Analyst Rhys Elliott reports over 316,000 copies sold and $11 million generated in under two weeks, with daily active users reaching over 1 million for the first time since launch. This "transmedia halo effect" highlights the potential for coordinated movie and game releases.
Atari and Universal to create movies based on classic properties including Asteroids and Missile Command
Atari has partnered with Universal Pictures and Entertainment 360 to adapt 10 of its classic video game franchises into movies. Properties including Asteroids, Missile Command, and Pong will be reimagined as action-adventure blockbusters. Atari CEO Wade Rosen expressed excitement about bringing the brand's spirit to a new medium.
SEGA talks importance of Sonic, failing to reach its goal, wanted new game to sell more
SEGA president Shuji Utsumi discussed the importance of Sonic the Hedgehog as a symbol for the company and how its success, particularly the movie, can boost other IPs. He also acknowledged that SEGA did not meet its goals for global expansion of Sonic titles last year and that the latest Sonic game did not sell as well as hoped, leading to measures to improve sales power.
Rather than rip and tear id Software apart, Xbox should have put the FPS pioneers on Gears of War
Following significant layoffs at Xbox Game Studios, including a reported 50% staff reduction at id Software, the article argues that Xbox should leverage id Software's expertise for the Gears of War franchise. It suggests that id's talent for creating visceral first-person shooter experiences would be a better fit for Gears of War than continuing with their own struggling franchises like Quake Champions or Rage 2.
"We can break even and be self-sustaining within Riot" – The firm behind League of Legends is "super close" to making esports sustainable
Riot Games' head of publishing and esports, John Needham, states that the company's esports business is very close to achieving profitability and self-sustainability. He attributes this progress to a shift in business model from sponsorships to digital items and increased revenue sharing with esports teams, alongside efforts to grow viewership and player engagement through various transmedia initiatives.
Wolfenstein 3 is in the Works, Marvel’s Blade Safe as Arkane Faces Restructuring – Rumor
Rumors suggest that Wolfenstein 3 is in development at MachineGames, which is reportedly safe following the success of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Marvel's Blade is also said to be proceeding at Arkane Studios, despite restructuring within the company. Jerk Gustafsson has been named president of Arkane, and further announcements regarding layoffs and the studio's new structure are expected.
« Ankama, de l’esquisse à l’épopée. 25 ans de création », le fleuron mondial de l’animation ouvre une grande exposition annuelle à la Cité internationale du cinéma d’animation d’Annecy dès le 19 juin
Ankama is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a major exhibition titled "Ankama, from sketch to epic. 25 years of creation" at the Cité internationale du cinéma d’animation d’Annecy from June 19, 2026, to January 31, 2027. The exhibition will showcase the creation of its Krosmoz universe, including the games DOFUS, WAKFU, and the new series WAVEN, featuring exclusive projections and events.
Ankama fête ses 25 ans : né à Roubaix, le studio a bâti l’un des rares univers transmédia français, entre jeux vidéo, films, animation, édition et culture pop
French company Ankama is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a summer of events, including an exhibition in Annecy and a convention at Japan Expo in Paris. Founded in Roubaix, Ankama has built the Krosmoz universe across video games, animation, films, and publishing, with popular titles like Dofus and Wakfu.
Amazon suggests IO Interactive might not return for 007 First Light sequel
Amazon Games boss Jeff Gattis indicated that future sequels to the game 007 First Light will be developed in-house by MGM and Amazon Game Studios, suggesting developer IO Interactive may not return. While Amazon owns the James Bond IP rights through its acquisition of MGM, the deal for First Light was already in place before this acquisition. Gattis also highlighted Amazon's commitment to expanding its video game offerings, particularly those tied to transmedia properties.
Uncharted 3 co-director and The Dragon Prince co-creator joins the Overwatch team, once again reigniting hopes for an…
Justin Richmond, co-director of Uncharted 3 and co-creator of The Dragon Prince, has joined Blizzard Entertainment as the new Franchise Creative Director for Overwatch. This appointment has reignited community hopes for an Overwatch animated series, a possibility that has also been hinted at by Overwatch general manager Walter Kong.
Remedy Entertainment CEO: Alan Wake and Control should have sold more
Remedy Entertainment's new CEO, Jean-Charles Gaudechon, believes that Alan Wake and Control should have achieved greater commercial success. He aims to expand the audience for these IPs through transmedia projects, including partnerships with Annapurna Pictures for film and TV adaptations, while also focusing on improving game development and exploring new markets.
Blizzard Boss Wouldn't Rule Out Overwatch Animated Series, Knows Fans Have Wanted It for Years
Blizzard Entertainment is considering expanding the Overwatch universe, with an animated series being a possibility that has been discussed. The company is also exploring other collaborations, such as the recent one with Fortnite.
NiFe WARS Halts Mobile Game on May 31, Shifts to Transmedia Growth
WAGMI Game Co. will indefinitely suspend its mobile game, NiFe WARS: Last Defense, on May 31 to shift focus towards a transmedia strategy including comics, collectibles, and an anime series. This decision follows poor player retention in mobile gaming and strong success with a comic book launch, indicating a strategic reallocation of resources. Holders of NFTs and tokens will continue to see utility in the new transmedia offerings.
Switch 2 outpacing original Switch after nearing 20 million sales
The Nintendo Switch 2 has surpassed the original Nintendo Switch in sales during its first full fiscal year, selling 19.86 million units worldwide since its June 2025 launch. Nintendo forecasts continued strong adoption despite expecting year-on-year sales declines in FY27. The company also reported significant success with its transmedia initiatives, including The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
Rebellion has its fingers in all the pies
UK-based company Rebellion has built a significant transmedia empire, extending beyond its well-known games like Sniper Elite and Atomfall into books, comics, board games, movies, and even a costume company. The company's strategy focuses on authenticity and allowing IPs to find success before expanding into other media, as seen with Atomfall becoming a TV series after its commercial success. Rebellion's commitment to independence and its in-house engine, Asura, are key to its long-term sustainability.
HEREDIS - ECHOES OF THE PAST
Ubisoft is collaborating with The 7 Fingers, Behaviour Interactive, and Décibels Productions to create "HEREDIS - Echoes of the Past," an original stage show based on the Assassin's Creed video game series. The production will feature circus artists, acrobats, actors, and dancers, blending acrobatics, parkour, and combat within immersive visual environments. The show will premiere in Montreal in December 2026 before embarking on a world tour, including a stop in Paris in January 2027.
Mortal Kombat Studio is “Definitely Pursuing” Another Entry in the Franchise
NetherRealm Studios boss Ed Boon has confirmed that the studio is actively pursuing another entry in the Mortal Kombat franchise, alongside other unannounced projects including potential transmedia endeavors. The previous title, Mortal Kombat 1, was released in 2023 and has sold 8 million copies, while its predecessor, Mortal Kombat 11, achieved 15 million sales. The studio has shifted focus to new projects after concluding post-launch content for Mortal Kombat 1.
Rebellion's Atomfall is being turned into a TV series
Rebellion's post-apocalyptic survival-action game Atomfall is being adapted into a TV series through a co-production with Two Brothers Pictures. The series will expand on the game's mythology, inspired by the 1957 Windscale disaster, while maintaining its distinct British tone and themes. Rebellion has also announced that Atomfall has reached over 3.7 million players globally since its launch on March 27, 2025.
