Former Call of Duty Devs Are Making the First Ever Official Kickboxer Video Game — but Is Jean-Claude Van Damme in It?

Former developers from the renowned Call of Duty series are now venturing into a new arena by creating the first-ever video game inspired by the iconic Kickboxer martial arts film franchise. Los Angeles-based Force Multiplier Studios has joined forces with Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman, the masterminds behind the recent rebooted Kickboxer trilogy, to bring this project to life.

The original Kickboxer film, which hit theaters in 1989 and starred martial arts legend Jean-Claude Van Damme, was a smashing success, leading to numerous sequels. Although Van Damme did not return for Kickboxer 2, choosing instead to star in 1991's Double Impact, he reprised his role in the 2016 reboot, Kickboxer: Vengeance, alongside Dave Bautista, and its sequel, Kickboxer: Retaliation in 2018. The third film in the reboot series, Kickboxer: Armageddon, is slated to start filming this spring.

Currently in its early stages of development, the Kickboxer video game is set to merge the compelling narrative of the film series with fast-paced, high-energy martial arts action. Force Multiplier Studios promises an intense brawler experience featuring iconic characters and settings from the franchise, which originally starred Jean-Claude Van Damme. When questioned about Van Damme's involvement, the studio remained coy, with Brent Friedman, Chief Creative Officer, expressing enthusiasm for the project: "We're all massive fans of the Kickboxer movies, and we have the licenses to many characters and likenesses from the Kickboxer universe that we're very excited about. We'll have much more to share later in the year."

Force Multiplier Studios, a fresh venture co-founded by Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi, boasts a team with rich experience in narrative and design from blockbuster games like Call of Duty, Borderlands, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat. Their first release, a combat shooter titled Karnivus, was integrated within Fortnite, but the Kickboxer game represents a significant leap forward for the studio.

Dimitri Logothetis, the writer and director of Kickboxer: Armageddon, shared his excitement about the project, stating, "Kickboxer is more than just a film; it's a cultural phenomenon that has inspired generations of fans and martial artists alike. I'm thrilled to collaborate with the incredible team at Force Multiplier Studios. We're going to create a gaming experience that pays tribute to the original film while introducing exciting new gameplay elements."

Jeremy Breslau, CEO of Force Multiplier Studios, added, "Our passion is innovation, and just as we're innovating on Fortnite Creative with our own environmental combat shooter experience Karnivus, we can’t wait to innovate the fighting genre with a dynamic brawler that will empower players to be the best kickboxers in the world, traveling to exotic locales and introducing new environmental combat mechanics to deliver a martial arts experience like never before."

While no screenshots or trailers have been released yet, fans can anticipate more details later this year. This game promises to be a thrilling addition to the Kickboxer legacy, blending the spirit of the films with innovative gaming elements.