Watchmen game winds up at Warner Bros.

Episodic prequel series for upcoming feature film to hit Xbox 360, PS3, and PC next year.

Fans of Alan Moore's seminal graphic novel Watchmen have another reason to be excited (or apprehensive). The upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures film adaptation is already faced with the daunting task of capturing the nuanced and layered story of the original comics, but the studio's interactive entertainment arm today announced it would further adapt the film into games.

The Owlship watches a Watchman.

Set for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, Watchmen will be an episodic downloadable series developed by Deadline Games, the Danish studio behind Chili Con Carnage, Total Overdose, and Faith and a .45. Described as action-brawlers, the games will serve as prequels to the film, chronicling the vigilante team of Rorschach and Nite Owl in their earlier days. The game will not only build up the backstories of various characters from the film, but also introduce new opponents into the mix.

Like the comic, the film kicks off with Rorschach's investigation into the murder of a former teammate and superhero. Set in an alternate-universe 1985 where the Cold War stalemate hangs heavy over the world, the film is working off a screenplay from Alex Tse and David Hayter (writer of the new Lost Planet film and voice of Solid Snake in the Metal Gear Solid series).

Watchmen is being directed by Zack Snyder (300, 2004's Dawn of the Dead) and stars Stephen McHattie (A History of Violence, Theodore Rex), Jackie Earle Haley (The Bad News Bears, Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence), and Billy Crudup (Big Fish, Mission: Impossible III). The film is scheduled for a March 6 release in the US.

85 Comments

  • The_Praetor

    Posted Oct 22, 2008 1:21 pm PT

    GAH, A FREAKIN BEAT-EM-UP?

    Watchmen is just too deep to put into a mindless brawler. Man, this sucks so much.

    Rorschach is better suited to an RPG... an action-adventure... SOMETHING.

  • thorsen-ink GameSpot staff member

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 10:12 pm PT

    Do NOT screw this up Warner Bros. Watchmen is sacrosanct in the comic pantheon.

  • Dark_Lullaby

    Posted Sep 14, 2008 2:52 pm PT

    It took me hours to convince myself that the film could do the book justice. A joint release game shows the true intentions of Warner bros and their next blockbuster cash cow.
    I beg all that read this to read the book.

  • RorshachV

    Posted Aug 11, 2008 6:51 pm PT

    as if I wasn't apprehensive enough about a Watchmen game, it's being made by the people who did "Chili Con Carnage." I think it's safe to assume the game will be a disgrace to Moore's masterpiece.

  • SpartanTnT

    Posted Jul 27, 2008 11:12 am PT

    The movie looks really cool, hopefully the game would be good too, unlike most movie-game transitions.

  • mightycloud

    Posted Jul 27, 2008 4:28 am PT

    I love the comic and urge anyone remotely intrested in comics or superhero games to pick up a copy. That said the movie looks good, but it's need to be about 4-6 hours long to dramatise it properly (including the back story sections at the end of each issue), and I can't see the point in doing games based on just a few lines of dialogue from Rorschach's diary.

    It's just a cheap cash-in on a cult favourite/ new corparate franchise.

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Jul 26, 2008 3:41 pm PT

    Oh my god... what is that?! It looks like a gimpy batman or something...

  • halo1399

    Posted Jul 26, 2008 12:32 pm PT

    .........They're choosing this over the Dark Knight????

    Makes me want to punch a wall.

  • Dadamac67

    Posted Jul 26, 2008 1:44 am PT

    This sounds disgusting....A movie?..YES!....and it looks awesome!....Zack Snyder is a real talent...300 Was amazing......can't wait for it..but a video game?....ridiculous idea...Watchmen was'nt about kicking a$$...it was a drama?....more than anything...looking at these heroes and their human flaws...and it was a murder-mystery....it was deep Man!...it was deep....I read it around '88 or so...and its still in my head......a video game?.....if Alan Moore is pissed about the movie...wait till he hears this...its like making a video game based on "Moby Dick" or "On the Road"...dumb corporate idea

  • Aerothorn

    Posted Jul 25, 2008 4:19 pm PT

    WHY WHY WHY

    While I remain skeptical of the movie, it seems like they're at least TRYING to be faithful to the comic. But giving the game rights to these guys? What are they thinking?

  • Lebbin

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 10:15 pm PT

    The games might be good, but I don't think they would do justoce to the book.

  • Knightbringr

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 4:54 pm PT

    I was praying that they didn't screw up the movie, but after watching the preview it actually looks like it may be good. All I can think about after reading this is Enter the Matrix. Please... PLEASE... don't screw it up.

  • xbox360progamer

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 4:29 pm PT

    this is going to sux..

  • LiontamerV

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 4:28 pm PT

    Why?

    Seriously. For those who've read the Watchmen everything is explained in the course of the comic. No need to add more pointless filler that wasn't written by Alan Moore

  • ray4594

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 4:28 pm PT

    I think the movie and the game is more for fans of it. But who knows I can be wrong

  • ronniepage588

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 3:48 pm PT

    the game will probably suck. but who knows, could always be another riddick!! god that game was great. the source material is so rich and full of video game potential though.

  • necronaux

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 12:47 pm PT

    To spiderfan2099: Chill. It is just my opinion. I know Watchmen. I'm just not a big fan (regardless of what Time says). I don't think the games will be any good. I don't think the story will transfer well to the big screen (I'd also hate to see a '09 Watchman Iraq story). And with all the superhero movies hitting the big screen, I can't see anyone but fanboys going to see it. That said, I'm done with this conversation.

  • spiderfan2099

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 11:30 am PT

    Quick reply to Necronaux: Watchmen was the original "what-if-superheroes-were-real-and-had-real-life-problems" comic. It's set in 1985 because it was written in 1985. It's one of the greatest comics of all time and is in fact on Time magazine's top 100 books of all time list.

    Next time before you comment, possibly read up on what you're commenting about.

  • YoungDab

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 11:29 am PT

    That movie is $ick/Why cant they just take their time making the game.Dont rush the game and use a decent engine/Chronicles of riddick was $ick,they could pull it off/The movie doesnt come out untill next year.

  • necronaux posted Jul 24, 2008 11:23 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    necronaux

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 11:23 am PT (hide)

    Doesn't sound like it will be any good. Comic, into a movie, with a "series" of "prequel" video games. Action figures are sure to follow (or lead). Sounds like they're trying to cram too much into it to be any good... Alternate Universe, Set in '85, Cold War issues, "what-if-superheros-were-real-and-had-real-life-problems". Come on. Howabout something original.

  • The_Owner

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 10:36 am PT

    The movie could be good. I haven't read the graphic novel, but I'm familiar with Allen Moore and a lot of his writing. The game studio's resume doesn't sound too promising to me.

  • LinconSixEcho

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 10:17 am PT

    I love how some of the posters here are saying that Watchmen are lame or some other adolescent remark. The story was ahead of its time and the characters had faults and that's what made them so interesting.
    The trailer looks like it has promise. I just hope that it has Rorschach breaking the fingers off the guy in the bar just to get the others to talk about the murder.
    The fans know what I am talking about.

  • lamplan

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 10:01 am PT

    Goldeneye was a fair game connected to a movie if I recall....... but yes, mostly I agree with the sediment you all are saying.

  • GhostyMcboo

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 9:56 am PT

    I actually think the film could be okay... visually at the very least.

    "nuanced and layered story" elements appeared in the trailer, even! (Pay attention to the lyrics of the Pumpkins' song and see the images they chose...)

    ANywho... movie games = bad. I agree

  • HAMODA

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 8:43 am PT

    ohhh not again another movie's game ............. its always the movie's game bad & boring so please dont waste the time !!!!!!!!!

  • never-named

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 7:54 am PT

    NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! NO! This is just WRONG! A movie was bad enough but a videogame (and a beat-em-up at that)? If they were to make it into a videogame I want Kojima Prod. to develop it and for David Hayter to be involved!

  • PhantomPhoot

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 7:17 am PT

    The movie version was risky enough (although it looks kickass). The game version is just developer suicide.

  • Irve

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 6:35 am PT

    a watchmen game
    oh wow
    i'm thinking that the fight club beat em up that came out on Xbox and PS2 might have a contender for most inappropriate film licence !!
    just mad !!

  • Thrall-3-20 posted Jul 24, 2008 6:15 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Thrall-3-20

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 6:15 am PT (hide)

    ...I seen the Trailer to this when I went to see TDK... I've never heard of Watchmen, but he looks like some kind of lame Batman knock off.

    I've heard the comic or whatever is one of the best, but this movie just looks lame.

  • blueguykisame

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 5:13 am PT

    Another movie game...

    Maybe it'll be good like the Batman Returns game...

    Maybe...

  • DrCLos

    Posted Jul 24, 2008 3:16 am PT

    Everyone do themselves a favor and go read the graphic novel first. You can easily find it at any book store.
    I hope the film ends up good. The trailer has me excited.
    But I'm not holding out hope for the game.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 11:51 pm PT

    Yes yes yes. Awsomeness.

  • HappyBB

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 9:59 pm PT

    Cool! Indeed this is something to be excited about! More superhero movies!!

  • niteowl74

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 9:33 pm PT

    Maybe this will turn out to be a fun old school side scrolling beat em up along the lines of Final Fight or Streets of Rage

  • FAcorp

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 8:48 pm PT

    I saw the trailer for the movie and it looks really good
    and I hope that it is good because Watchmen is
    one of the best comic that I've ever read.

  • ck02623

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 8:05 pm PT

    Oh goodness, I hope they don't bastardize novel.

  • vicscrape

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 7:59 pm PT

    please dont ruin the movie and the game

    for all the people who has not read the comic yet

    GO READ IT!

    I'm so happy my friend gave me a copy

  • FrankenLife

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 6:45 pm PT

    If the game is based off the comic, then we have hope. If the game is based off the movie, then we have a continued trend.

  • LazyPenguin1989

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 6:41 pm PT

    Read the comics, it was an awesome short series, and the movie trailer makes me not worry at all, i think it will live up to the hype and be as good as the Dark Knight, i just hope this game comes out great.

  • fr0zen2003

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 6:27 pm PT

    "Jackie Earle Haley (Maniac Cop 3)"

    Hahaha! The guy was nominated for an oscar for Little Children for christ sake! Don't link him to some obscure threequel...

  • gp3tron

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 6:08 pm PT

    OMFG......awesome news. I hope this game Rocks, cause if it does, it will rock the world.

  • 5FingersOfDeath

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 6:02 pm PT

    Can not wait for the movie, hope they can pull it off.

  • prototype24red

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 5:37 pm PT

    Cool!

  • NA3D

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 5:25 pm PT

    Lincon - IMO
    300 = awesome
    The L of EG = below average with interesting parts
    Watchment = half way between, maybe leaning to League more

    Though I just saw Hancock before going to Dark Knight, so that probably tainted my opinion of new super hero works. (Newer, as in superheros that have been created since I was born.)

  • RHCPfan24

    Posted Jul 23, 2008 5:07 pm PT

    I loved the trailer to this movie. I hope they have the Smashing Pumpkins song in it.

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