2K Games has announced that it's set to publish the game of the upcoming Ghost Rider movie (which is based on the Marvel comic of the same name). The movie, featuring Nic Cage, is set for a widespread release next February, so it’s safe to assume that the game will be out around that time.
The publishing duties were previously going to be handled by Majesco, but now sit firmly with 2K Games. The game is being developed by leading UK developer Climax, so it should be something of a cut above the normal comic-to-movie-to-videogame fare.
The storyline in Ghost Rider is classic comic-book schmaltz, following superstar motorcycle stunt rider Johnny Blaze as he strikes a deal with the vile Mephistopheles for the most precious of commodities – his immortal soul. You can probably guess the rest. But Nic Cage plays this type of tortured anti-hero pretty well, so the movie may well be an unexpected treat, a la Sin City.
Ghost Rider - the game - according to the press release, “...will engage gamers in an immersive, supernatural third person world with a seamless blend of hand-to-hand combat and high-speed motorcycle action.”
Christoph Hartmann, Managing Director of 2K Games, said of the deal: "Ghost Rider is one of Marvel Comics' most successful comic book franchises and we're thrilled to bring this beloved series to a broader audience… [the game] will build upon the popular elements from the Ghost Rider franchise and intertwine its thrilling action and original, compelling content into a gaming experience fans will love."
Yep, ticked all the boxes on the correct way to construct a standard videogame movie/comic-license press release quote there, Christoph! But hold on, there’s more anodyne quote action to come from none other than Ames Kirshen, Vice President, Interactive at Marvel Entertainment, who said, "Marvel is excited about the upcoming Ghost Rider video game…2K Games is creating an innovative game that showcases a combination of amazing hand-to-hand combat and motorcycle action intertwined with compelling third person play that offer gamers a truly unique and diverse gameplay experience."
In further comic-book-to-videogame pre-E3 news from 2K Games,
check out these latest screens of their comic book crime drama The Darkness.The Darkness, as we have reported before, is based on the best-selling comic book series from Top Cow Productions and utilises an internally developed next-generation game engine.
The player assumes the role of mafia hitman Jackie Estacado who, on the night of his 21st birthday, is annoyingly possessed by 'The Darkness', an ancient demonic entity that gives Jackie spectacular powers. Gah! There’s always a demonic entity at hand to spoil a birthday party...
The story follows Jackie and his fight with the fictional Francetti Mafia and is written by Eisner Award winner Paul Jenkins. We’ll bring you more news on both Ghost Rider and The Darkness when we get to see them for ourselves at E3 next week.