Boardroom caught up with PlayStation’s Asad Qizilbash ahead of The Last of Us Season 2 premiere to discuss the rise of video games as IP powerhouses — and how studios and creatives can elevate gaming titles beyond the console.
In recent years, video games have transcended their roots as interactive entertainment, blossoming into multimedia empires that span television, film, theme parks, and more.
The success of adaptations like The Last of Us, Halo, The Witcher, Resident Evil, Sonic, and now, A Minecraft Movie, has showcased the growing demand for these stories in new formats. The success of recent video game adaptations underscores a significant opportunity to translate gaming intellectual properties into films and television. Similarly to A Minecraft Movie, HBO‘s The Last of Us garnered critical acclaim, achieving a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes in its first season and an average IMDb score of 9.3 at its peak, making it one of the highest-rated video game-to-TV adaptations ever, per IMDb.
“The key to a successful video game adaptation, in my view, really comes down to respecting the source material while also understanding the language of film and television,” Asad Qizilbash, Sony Interactive Entertainment‘s SVP of Publishing and Head of PlayStation Productions, told Boardroom in an exclusive interview. “At the same time, we’re not just doing a one-to-one translation. Games and TV or film are different mediums, so it’s about collaborating with the right creatives who can bridge that gap.”
We’re in the golden age of video game adaptations, and no one knows this better than Qizilbash, who spoke to Boardroom about what it takes to turn beloved games into big-screen and streaming hits.
Subscribe for the biggest stories in the business of sports and entertainment, daily.
From Consoles to the Big Screen
Qizilbash said it takes emotional resonance and world-building to ensure game IPs are ripe for expansion. He explained that when you have a game with characters fans genuinely care about, universal themes, and a world that feels lived-in, games naturally lend themselves to storytelling in other mediums.
“Those are the ingredients that allow an IP to go from a great game to a broader cultural experience. But it’s not just about scale — it’s about depth,” Qizilbash said. “The emotional arcs, the moral dilemmas, the relationships — those are what make these stories relatable, whether you’re holding a controller, sitting in a theater, or enjoying it as a ride in a theme park.”
However, the decision to adapt a game is not taken lightly. Video game adaptations serve various purposes, acting as both extensions of existing narratives and opportunities to explore new angles within their established universes.
“It really starts with asking one fundamental question: Does this story have the emotional depth and world-building to stand on its own, beyond gameplay?” he said. “At PlayStation Productions, we don’t look to adapt every game—we’re very selective because not every title is meant to make that jump.”
This philosophy of loyalty to the original material has been essential for PlayStation Productions as they expand franchises into other media. The success of The Last of Us on HBO and Uncharted in theaters proves that this approach not only honors the fanbase but also attracts broader audiences unfamiliar with the games.
“For us, it’s about authenticity,” Qizilbash explains. “Fans can tell when something is made with love and care and when it’s not. That’s the bar we set for ourselves every time.”
But this dedication to the source material doesn’t mean a direct copy. Qizilbash said it’s crucial to work with passionate writers, directors, and actors who understand games and know how to tell a compelling story on screen.
“It’s a balancing act, but when you get it right — when you stay true to the heart of the story and present it in a way that’s emotionally engaging for everyone — that’s when you create something really powerful,” he said. “The Last of Us is a great example of that, and it’s the standard we hold ourselves to moving forward.”
Qizilbash acknowledges the challenges of appealing to both dedicated gamers and newcomers. However, he also emphasizes the importance of accessibility. Studios should think about how to create film and television adaptations that are accessible to all audiences, ensuring that viewers can enjoy the content without prior experience with the games. This approach allows newcomers to immerse themselves in the stories and worlds, potentially inspiring them to explore the original games afterward.
“Our approach starts with deep respect for the source material—we work closely with the original game creators to make sure we’re honoring the characters, worlds, and emotional beats that made the game special in the first place,” he said. “That authenticity is what fans are looking for.”
Adaptations can serve as both extensions of existing stories and opportunities to explore new angles. Until Dawn, hitting theaters on April 25, is set in the same universe as the game but introduces entirely new characters and a fresh storyline. Similarly, The Last of Us Season 1 expanded on Bill and Frank’s relationship, which was briefly referenced in the game, turning it into one of the show’s most memorable and emotional episodes.
Iconic Adaptations
The journey of video game adaptations has been a rollercoaster, with early missteps giving way to a new era of cinematic and televised triumphs. While the graveyard of failed adaptations is well populated, recent successes highlight the growing potential of these rich, pre-existing worlds. PlayStation and Sony have excelled, but here are several examples from other video game developers and publishers that got it right for fans.
A Minecraft Movie
A Minecraft Movie recently hit theaters on April 4. Defying analysts’ expectations, the Jack Black-led film amassed $163 million domestically and $313 million globally during its opening weekend, marking the biggest box office debut of 2025 so far. This achievement not only sets a new domestic record for video game adaptations, surpassing The Super Mario Bros. Movie ($146.4 million), but also eclipses Warner Bros.‘ previous stateside debut record held by Batman v Superman since 2016. We’ll continue to track the film’s success via Box Office Mojo’s data.
Arcane
Based on Riot Games‘ League of Legends, Netflix‘s Arcane has become a landmark achievement in video game adaptations, garnering widespread acclaim across its two seasons due to its high-level animation. Season 1, released in 2021, garnered critical acclaim with a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 98% audience score, amassing over 120 million viewing hours globally within its initial weeks. Season 2, which premiered in November 2024, continued this momentum, debuting at #1 in 67 countries and becoming the most-watched Netflix series in over 60 regions. Despite its critical and widespread acclaim, Arcane concluded with its planned ending after season 2, as the creators aimed to tell a concise, complete story.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) smashed records to become the highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time, earning a staggering $575 million worldwide and $1.36 billion at the global box office. The Illumination and Nintendo collaboration tapped into multi-generational nostalgia while appealing to younger audiences with vibrant animation and broad humor. The film not only revitalized interest in the Mario universe but also set a new benchmark for what video game movies can achieve financially and culturally. A sequel is in the works and is set for release on April 3, 2026.
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog has also raced past expectations. The first film in 2020 kicked off a fresh era for SEGA’s beloved character, and its 2022 and 2024 sequels solidified Sonic as a family-friendly box office hit. The first film earned approximately $149 million domestically and over $319 million worldwide, setting a new record for the highest-grossing video game adaptation at the time. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 surpassed its predecessor with a domestic gross of around $191 million and $405 million worldwide. The third installment, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), continued this upward trend, achieving approximately $236 million domestically and contributing to the film’s global earnings, which exceeded $462 million.
Resident Evil
Since the early 2000s, Capcom‘s Resident Evil has been a proving ground for how to adapt a game universe across formats — and it’s still going. The video game may have started in a spooky mansion in 1996, but its screen legacy has since sprawled into a full-blown media universe. Resident Evil continues reinventing itself with a mix of films, series, and animated features that explore different timelines and characters from the iconic zombie universe. Since the flagship gaming title dropped in March 1996, Resident Evil has spawned seven live-action films, starting with the 2002 original and most recently Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City in 2021. Of the bunch, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2017) earned approximately $27 million domestically and around $312 million worldwide. While the film wasn’t the most popular in the US, it was the most successful of the franchise worldwide. Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010) was the most popular domestic release, earning approximately $60 million domestically and $300 million worldwide.
Why Streamers Are All In
One of the biggest drivers behind the video game adaptation boom is the growing interest from major streamers like Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Peacock. This demand has led to more ambitious projects, including Amazon’s God of War series, Twisted Metal Season 2 on Peacock, and a Horizon film in the works with Columbia Pictures.
“The success we’ve shown with PlayStation Productions has helped,” Qizilbash said. “When you have a story, world, or characters that have already resonated with millions, it makes it more compelling and less risky for studios. I also believe some of the most exciting stories and worlds are coming from video games.”
As streamers compete for content with built-in fanbases, video games offer an untapped reservoir of stories and expansive universes ready for the screen. Unlike traditional IP, video games often come with rich lore, visual style, and character arcs that can span multiple seasons or spin-offs. This makes them ideal for serialized storytelling, and streamers are betting big on that potential, especially as competition for original content intensifies. With fan demand high and technology advancing, the adaptation pipeline is only getting bigger.
What’s Next
Looking ahead, PlayStation Productions has a busy schedule. The Last of Us Season 2 is set to premiere on HBO and Max on April 13, followed by the Until Dawn movie almost two weeks later and Twisted Metal Season 2 on Peacock this summer. Qizilbash expresses particular excitement for the God of War live-action series in development with Amazon, helmed by Ron Moore of Battlestar Galactica and Outlander fame. He also highlights the Horizon live-action film in the works with Columbia Pictures, recognizing the cinematic potential of its world and characters.
In a world where content is king, video games are becoming the crown jewels, and PlayStation’s ambition doesn’t stop at TV and film.
“We see a lot of potential for our franchises to grow beyond games, TV, and film,” Qizilbash said. “Our goal is to build meaningful, long-lasting relationships between players and our IP, and that can take many forms—whether it’s collectibles, animation, audio, or even physical experiences like theme parks.”
Qizilbash said PlayStation approaches expansion beyond games with the same selective and authentic lens as its adaptations. He emphasized that it’s never about slapping a logo on everything but deepening fan connections by finding the proper expression for each IP.
For the broader industry, this convergence between games and Hollywood marks a turning point. Video games are no longer confined to consoles; they’re evolving into cultural powerhouses that can fuel film, television, animation, and even physical experiences.
“It’s not about chasing trends — it’s about storytelling that stands the test of time,” Qizilbash said.
The adaptation wave is far from over, with iconic gaming franchises set to make significant strides in the adaptation space over the next year. Mortal Kombat will return to the big screen with a sequel to the 2021 release slated for October 24, 2025. The fighting game legacy of Street Fighter is set to be revitalized with a new film in 2026. Perhaps most anticipated is Nintendo’s venture into live-action with The Legend of Zelda, promising to bring the expansive world of Hyrule to cinematic life.
Most recently, a Death Stranding film adaptation was announced in collaboration with A24 and game developer Kojima Productions, following the success of the 2019 video game that garnered more than 19 million players worldwide. Director Michael Sarnoski (Pig, A Quiet Place: Day One) will bring the genre-defying game to the big screen. The real question is, will the game’s cast, including Norman Reedus, Mads Mikkelsen, and Léa Seydoux, star in the film? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
In the meantime, The Last of Us Season 2 premieres this weekend to hold us over. And with Season 3 already confirmed before the second season debut, it’s clear this universe isn’t letting up anytime soon — cue the emotional damage.
Read More:
‘SINNERS’ Marks a Bold New Chapter for Ryan Coogler & Michael B. Jordan
Jayson Tatum Puts On for St. Louis
Meta Heads to Court Over the FTC’s Monopoly Allegations
LOVB CEO Katlyn Gao Wants to Build the NBA of Volleyball
Big Tech Scrambles Amidst Tariff Shakeups
