Kickboxer Video Game Announced by Ex-Call of Duty Devs: Will Jean-Claude Van Damme Star?

Excitement is brewing in the gaming world as former Call of Duty developers are embarking on a thrilling new project: the first-ever video game based on the iconic Kickboxer martial arts film franchise. Los Angeles-based Force Multiplier Studios is collaborating with Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman, the masterminds behind the recent Kickboxer trilogy reboot, to bring this action-packed vision to life.

The Kickboxer saga, which kicked off with Jean-Claude Van Damme's starring role in the 1989 original, has captivated audiences for decades. While Van Damme opted out of the sequel, Kickboxer 2, to star in 1991's Double Impact, he returned to the franchise with the 2016 reboot, Kickboxer: Vengeance, alongside Dave Bautista, and its follow-up, Kickboxer: Retaliation in 2018. The third installment, Kickboxer: Armageddon, is slated to begin filming this spring.

Though we only have the logo to go on for now, the Kickboxer video game promises to blend the franchise's rich narrative with high-energy martial arts action. Force Multiplier Studios aims to create an intense brawler, featuring beloved characters and iconic locations from the series that originally starred martial arts legend Jean-Claude Van Damme.

When asked if Van Damme would reprise his role in the game, Force Multiplier Studios remained coy. "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,” Brent Friedman, Chief Creative Officer at Force Multiplier Studios, teased. “We'll have much more to share later in the year."

Force Multiplier Studios, a fresh development studio, was co-founded by Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi, who have previously contributed to major titles such as Call of Duty, Borderlands, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat. Their expertise promises to elevate the Kickboxer game to new heights.

Dimitri Logothetis, writer and director of Kickboxer: Armageddon, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, "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."

This isn't Force Multiplier Studios' first foray into gaming; they previously released a combat shooter called Karnivus within Fortnite. However, the Kickboxer game represents a significant step forward for the studio. "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,” Jeremy Breslau, CEO of Force Multiplier Studios, added.

While we eagerly await further details, no screenshots or trailers have been released yet. Stay tuned for more updates later this year on what promises to be an electrifying addition to the Kickboxer legacy.