Warren Spector has teamed up with John Woo to create a new videogame-movie crossover property called Ninja Gold.
Set in modern-day society, the movie will focus on a group of ninjas who remain dedicated to their centuries-old traditions; the game is expected to take place in a similar setting. The actual nature of the game has yet to be announced, but Spector is best known for developing complex FPS titles with significant roleplaying elements, such as Deus Ex, System Shock, and Thief: Deadly Shadows. He is the main concept originator, although Woo has been involved in the creation of the ninja characters, as well as basic story themes.
“The idea actually started with John Woo,” Spector said. “He wanted to do something involving traditional ninjas in a modern-day setting, and the idea just resonated with me. I was intrigued with the idea of what happens when the traditional and the contemporary come into conflict.” According to Spector, Woo’s input on the situations and thematic underpinnings of the story put him in a position to develop the film without an excess of assistance from the game creators.
Unlike most game-move development deals, Spector says he envisioned Ninja Gold as a project that would work equally well as a movie and a game, and that could be developed for both media simultaneously. “This was an attempt to create a concept that would work in, and be developed for, a variety of media simultaneously,” he said. “That’s something new for games – and for movies.”
The movie is currently scheduled to begin production in 2008. No timetable or other details have been released for the game.
