Former Call of Duty developers are now working on what’s set to be the first-ever video game adaptation of the iconic Kickboxer martial arts film franchise.
The project is being led by Force Multiplier Studios, a Los Angeles-based game development studio, in collaboration with filmmakers Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman—the creative minds behind the recent Kickboxer reboot trilogy.
The original Kickboxer movie debuted in 1989 and starred Jean-Claude Van Damme in one of his most memorable roles. The film was a major success, leading to multiple sequels over the years. Although Van Damme did not return for Kickboxer 2, he reprised his role in the 2016 reboot Kickboxer: Vengeance, starring alongside Dave Bautista. He also appeared in the 2018 sequel, Kickboxer: Retaliation. The third installment in the reboot series, Kickboxer: Armageddon, is scheduled to begin filming this spring.
As for the game, it's currently in early development. According to Force Multiplier Studios, the title will "combine the rich narrative of Kickboxer with kinetic martial arts action to deliver an intense, high-octane brawler." The game will also feature iconic characters and locations from the franchise that helped launch Van Damme into international stardom.
IGN reached out to inquire whether Jean-Claude Van Damme would be involved in the game. While no official confirmation has been made, Brent Friedman, Chief Creative Officer at Force Multiplier Studios, hinted at exciting possibilities. “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,” he said. “We'll have much more to share later in the year.”
Force Multiplier Studios is a relatively new team, co-founded by Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi—veterans who have previously worked on blockbuster titles such as Call of Duty, Borderlands, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat.
“Kickboxer is more than just a film; it's a cultural phenomenon that has inspired generations of fans and martial artists alike,” said Dimitri Logothetis, writer and director of Kickboxer: Armageddon. “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.”
While the studio’s first release was a combat shooter called Karnivus—hosted within Fortnite—the Kickboxer project marks a significant leap forward in both ambition and scope.
“Our passion is innovation,” said Jeremy Breslau, CEO of Force Multiplier Studios. “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 become the best kickboxers in the world. Traveling to exotic locales and introducing new environmental combat mechanics, we aim to deliver a martial arts experience like never before.”
Stay tuned—more details, including visuals and gameplay footage, are expected to arrive later this year.
