Kudos to Microsoft

Irrespective of what one might think about Microsoft and its business practices, I think they deserve to be commended for the way they are handling negotiations for the rights to make a movie based on Bungie's Halo. Apparently the deal is conditional on a number of significant requirements, but the most important from my point of view is Bungie retaining full creative control. (Refer to http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=9444)

Movie adaptations of popular computer games have, for the most part, been very poor and, as a result, reflect badly on the franchise. It seems that too often the elements that made these games great fail to make it into movie adaptations. Notwithstanding the significant differences between interactive entertainment (i.e. games) and passive entertainment (i.e. movies), movie adaptations should involve more than repackaging the premise of a game franchise.

Mind you, I don't think that movie makers are solely responsible for the current state of movie adaptations. It seems to me that developers/publishers are too quick to sell off the rights to their intellectual properties. Apparently the various parties are just happy to make some more money, even if it means loosing creative control.

As the games development industry continues to mature, I am sure there will be a collective recognition of the inherent value of franchises and therefore the industry will be more proactive about protecting IP (intellectual property). So, kudos to Microsoft for protecting Bungie'’s creative rights! I hope this is the start of a trend, because it should be beneficial for everyone involved. Strong game ideas will have more earning potential, and hence, more attractive to publishers. Movies based on game franchises with better developed characters, more coherent stories, and consistent artistic vision should be more satisfying for movie-goers.