Excitement is brewing in the gaming world as former Call of Duty developers at Force Multiplier Studios embark on a groundbreaking project: the first-ever video game inspired by the iconic Kickboxer martial arts film franchise. This Los Angeles-based studio is teaming up with filmmakers Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman, the masterminds behind the recent Kickboxer trilogy reboot, to bring the action-packed saga to gamers worldwide.

The Kickboxer franchise, which began with the 1989 film starring martial arts legend Jean-Claude Van Damme, has been a staple in action cinema. While Van Damme did not return for the sequel, he reprised his role in the 2016 reboot, Kickboxer: Vengeance, and its 2018 follow-up, Kickboxer: Retaliation. The third installment, Kickboxer: Armageddon, is slated to start filming this spring.

Although the Kickboxer video game is still in its early stages, Force Multiplier Studios promises a thrilling experience. The game aims to blend the franchise's compelling narrative with high-energy martial arts action, creating an intense brawler featuring iconic characters and settings from the films. When asked about Van Damme's involvement, Brent Friedman, Chief Creative Officer at Force Multiplier Studios, remained coy, stating, "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, co-founded by industry veterans Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi, brings a wealth of experience from acclaimed titles such as Call of Duty, Borderlands, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat. Their first game, Karnivus, was released within Fortnite, but the Kickboxer project represents a significant leap forward for the studio.

Dimitri Logothetis, writer and director of Kickboxer: Armageddon, expressed his enthusiasm, 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."

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."

As of now, details are scarce, with no screenshots or trailers available. Fans eager for more information can look forward to updates later this year.