Ex-Call of Duty Devs Launch First Official Kickboxer Game: Van Damme Involved?

Ex-Call of Duty developers are now channeling their expertise into an exciting new project: 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 masterminds behind the recent Kickboxer trilogy reboot, to bring this vision to life.

The original Kickboxer film, released in 1989, starred martial arts legend Jean-Claude Van Damme and was a massive hit, spawning several sequels. Although Van Damme did not return for Kickboxer 2, opting instead for 1991's Double Impact, he reprised his role in the 2016 reboot, Kickboxer: Vengeance, alongside Dave Bautista, and its 2018 sequel, Kickboxer: Retaliation. The third installment, Kickboxer: Armageddon, is slated to begin filming this spring.

The Kickboxer video game is currently in its early stages of development. Force Multiplier Studios promises a game that will blend the rich narrative of the Kickboxer series with dynamic martial arts action, creating an intense, high-octane brawler. The game will feature iconic characters and settings from the franchise, originally starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.

When asked about Van Damme's involvement, 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, a new development studio, was co-founded by Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi. These industry veterans have previously led narrative and design on major 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."

Force Multiplier Studios' first game, Karnivus, was a combat shooter released within Fortnite. However, the Kickboxer game represents a significant step up for the team. "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 don't have screenshots or a trailer yet, stay tuned for more information later this year.