October
30
EA developing Dante's Inferno, shopping it to movie studios
Variety film reporter Michael Fleming and I are reporting in tomorrow's paper that four major studios -- Paramount, Universal, MGM and New Regency -- are bidding for the film rights to Electronic Arts' game "Dante's Inferno."
Never heard of "Dante's Inferno?" That's because EA hasn't announced it yet. But now that there's a bidding war going on, Michael got wind of the project and I helped him track down the details. Turns out that "Inferno" (the likely, but not yet definite title) is, as one would expect, a modern interpretation of the epic poem and will have players fighting their way through the depths of hell (maybe there will even be nine levels?). It's currently scheduled to be released late next year. (EA trademarked the name "Dante's Inferno" back in February for videogame, film and TV purposes)
We already know about a lot of the sequels coming up on EA's schedule ("Army of Too," "Dead Space 2," "Mercenaries 3," "Spore" expansions), but this is the first post-"Dead Space" and "Mirror's Edge" original property we've got details on, even though EA has been heavily touting its strategy of investing in new franchises.
The company has also been very aggressive this year in licensing its titles to Hollywood. "Army of Two" was just set up at Universal, "The Sims" is at Fox, producer Avi Arad optioned "Mass Effect," and there are even more in the works, if my sources are right.
As for "Inferno," hopefully I'll have further details soon when one of those studios wins the movie rights.
Update: A good source tells me the game is being developed at EA Redwood Shores.
Full story: Studios battle for EA game rights
Chris Morris reports on the business and culture of video games and offers analysis of recent events and industry trends.
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Posted by: buy hero gold | March 11, 2009 at 09:56 PM
It will surely be a shit
Posted by: Nietzsche | November 04, 2008 at 03:47 AM
I think this could potentially be very good, but I doubt it will adhere close to the text. Dante will turn into a God who must fight all the adulterers and terrorists in each level before facing the boss. His guardian will be Virgil, who helps him with a massive sword and is able to increase his abilities with a special elixir.
Or something like that.
Posted by: Scott L | November 02, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Of course. Thanks Robert. I changed the text to nine. It's been a very long day.
Posted by: Ben Fritz | October 31, 2008 at 02:42 AM
Inferno has nine levels. It's Purgatory that features seven.
Posted by: Robert Torel | October 31, 2008 at 01:11 AM
I'm actually pretty exited about this. I'd rather EA draw from classical text and give new life to it than let the Inferno and others like it die into time's obscurity. Let's just hope they don't mess it up.
Posted by: drunner2 | October 30, 2008 at 10:48 PM
As an English major, and a humble appreciator of the Divine Comedy, this is totally uncalled for.
Posted by: Tom Minogue | October 30, 2008 at 09:57 PM