Following the successful cinematic adaptations of Uncharted and The Last of Us, Sony has announced that Horizon Zero Dawn is set to hit the big screen. PlayStation Studios and Columbia Pictures are collaborating to bring Aloy's origin story and the game's vibrant, machine-filled world to life. Although the movie is still in its early stages, there's a strong belief that it could be Sony's first major video game success at the box office, provided it remains faithful to the source material.

Recent years have seen a surge in successful video game adaptations across both film and television. The Super Mario Brothers and Sonic movies have set the bar high for family-friendly adaptations, excelling in both critical acclaim and box office performance. On the small screen, Sony's The Last of Us has joined the ranks of fan favorites like Netflix's Arcane and Amazon Prime's Fallout. Even adaptations with mixed reviews, such as the Tom Holland-led Uncharted movie, have managed to gross over $400 million.

However, the "video game curse" still lingers, with some adaptations failing to capture the essence of their source material. The Uncharted movie, for instance, did not meet the expectations of fans hoping for a faithful adaptation. Similarly, last year's Borderlands film and Amazon's Like a Dragon: Yakuza series received poor reviews and box office results due to their deviation from the original games' storylines, lore, and tone.

This issue extends beyond video game adaptations to adaptations in general. Netflix's The Witcher, for example, has taken significant liberties with its source material, altering events, characters, and the overall tone. While adaptations often require changes to fit their new medium, these examples can feel like entirely different entities, leading to disappointment among fans and potential failure at the box office.

The Horizon movie isn't the first attempt to bring the franchise to screens. In 2022, Netflix announced a series based on the game, with rumors of a "Horizon 2074" project set in the pre-apocalypse period. This direction was polarizing among fans, who were eager for a story that stayed true to the original game's success and featured the iconic robot animals. Fortunately, the Netflix project is no longer in development, and Horizon is now being adapted into a feature film. The increased budget of a Hollywood movie is crucial for realizing the game's iconic visuals and bringing its world to life on the big screen.

If Horizon receives the same careful treatment as The Last of Us, there's no reason it can't be PlayStation's first major cinematic success. The success of Fallout, Arcane, and The Last of Us demonstrates the importance of staying true to the source material's visuals, tone, and story. The Last of Us, while introducing new storylines, largely adhered to the game's narrative structure, resonating with both fans and newcomers. By following this approach, Horizon has the potential to become a major hit.

Staying faithful to the original game is not just about meeting fan expectations; it's about honoring a story that has been highly acclaimed. Horizon Zero Dawn won the Best Narrative award at The Game Awards in 2017 and the Outstanding Achievement in Story award at the 2018 DICE awards. The game's story, set in 31st century North America, follows Aloy, a member of the Nora Tribe, as she unravels the mystery of her origins and their connection to Elisabet Sobeck, a scientist from the old world. The characters and world are captivating, with Aloy serving as a strong anchor and her allies, Erend and Varl, adding depth through their well-developed relationships. The game also explores the efforts to save Earth's climate and the emergence of rogue AI, which created the creatures now populating the planet. The mysterious Sylens adds further intrigue to the narrative.

The detailed worldbuilding in Horizon, with its intricate communities and settlements, offers a rich canvas for a compelling film franchise. Similar to James Cameron's Avatar series, a Horizon film could delve into the cultures and traditions of tribes like the Nora, who protect themselves from Earth's robotic hunters. The unique combat encounters with creatures like Sawtooths, Tallnecks, and Stormbirds provide visually stunning action and suspense, which could translate well to the big screen. Alongside rival tribes and those loyal to the rogue AI Hades, these elements would create engaging challenges for Aloy and her allies in a movie adaptation.

Horizon's story is inherently compelling, and if adapted faithfully, it has the potential to be a critical and commercial success. The game's unique, timely, and fresh world, combined with its cinematic aesthetic, sets it apart from other potential franchises. With the expansive story of Forbidden West, there's a vast canvas for the franchise to explore, offering long-term potential for Sony. By staying true to the elements that made the game a success, the film could lay the groundwork for a compelling adaptation and set PlayStation up for success in the film and TV industry.

However, deviating from what made Horizon great could lead to negative fan feedback and financial difficulties, as seen with other poorly received adaptations. Sony, along with its chosen writers and directors, must recognize the value of the source material and ensure they do justice to Horizon's rich storytelling and visual appeal.