First Official Kickboxer Game by Ex-Call of Duty Devs: Will Jean-Claude Van Damme Be In It?

Exciting news for fans of martial arts cinema and gaming alike: former Call of Duty developers are now crafting the first-ever video game inspired by the iconic Kickboxer martial arts film franchise. Los Angeles-based Force Multiplier Studios is teaming up with filmmakers Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman, the creative minds behind the recent Kickboxer reboot trilogy, to bring this vision to life.

The original Kickboxer film, released in 1989, starred martial arts legend Jean-Claude Van Damme and became a massive hit, spawning numerous sequels. While Van Damme didn't return for the second installment, opting instead for 1991's Double Impact, he reprised his role in the 2016 reboot, Kickboxer: Vengeance, alongside Dave Bautista. He also starred in its 2018 sequel, Kickboxer: Retaliation. The third film in the reboot series, Kickboxer: Armageddon, is scheduled to begin filming this spring.

This logo is all we have for now on the Kickboxer video game. The game itself is in the early stages of development, but Force Multiplier Studios promises it "will combine the rich narrative of Kickboxer with kinetic martial arts action to deliver an intense, high-octane brawler, and feature iconic characters and locations from the franchise originally starring martial arts icon Jean-Claude Van Damme."

When asked about Van Damme's involvement 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,” said Brent Friedman, Chief Creative Officer at Force Multiplier Studios. “We'll have much more to share later in the year."

Force Multiplier Studios, co-founded by Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi, brings a wealth of experience from their work on renowned titles like Call of Duty, Borderlands, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat. This new venture marks an exciting step forward for the studio.

"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."

Force Multiplier Studios previously launched Karnivus, a combat shooter within Fortnite, marking their entry into the gaming world. With Kickboxer, they're taking their ambitions to new heights. "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,” added Jeremy Breslau, CEO of Force Multiplier Studios.

While we eagerly await more details, including screenshots and trailers, fans can look forward to more information later this year. The Kickboxer video game promises to be a thrilling addition to the franchise's legacy.