Ex-Call of Duty Team Creates Kickboxer Game – Van Damme Featured?

A team of ex-Call of Duty developers are crafting the inaugural video game adaptation of the legendary Kickboxer martial arts film series.

Force Multiplier Studios, headquartered in Los Angeles, has partnered with Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman - the creative forces behind the recent Kickboxer reboot trilogy - to bring the high-kicking action to gaming consoles.

Jean-Claude Van Damme headlined the original 1989 Kickboxer film, whose explosive success launched multiple sequels. While Van Damme missed Kickboxer 2 (instead appearing in 1991's Double Impact), he returned for the 2016 reboot Kickboxer: Vengeance alongside Dave Bautista, followed by 2018's Kickboxer: Retaliation. The trilogy's finale, Kickboxer: Armageddon, begins production this spring.

The game remains in early development phases, but Force Multiplier promises "an electrifying fusion of Kickboxer's gripping storytelling with visceral martial arts combat" featuring fan-favorite characters and settings from the Van Damme-starred franchise.

When pressed about Van Damme's potential involvement, studio representatives remained coy. "As lifelong fans of the franchise, we've secured rights to numerous iconic characters and likenesses," revealed Brent Friedman, Chief Creative Officer. "Expect more exciting announcements later this year."

The development trio behind Force Multiplier brings AAA experience from Call of Duty, Borderlands, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat franchises.

"Kickboxer transcends cinema—it's a cultural touchstone that continues inspiring martial artists worldwide," asserted Dimitri Logothetis, writer/director of Kickboxer: Armageddon.

"Collaborating with Force Multiplier allows us to honor the original while pushing gameplay boundaries in thrilling new directions."

While the studio's Fortnite-based shooter Karnivus marked their debut, Kickboxer represents their ambitious leap into premium gaming experiences.

"We're revolutionizing environmental combat mechanics through Karnivus," explained CEO Jeremy Breslau. "Now we're applying that innovative spirit to create the ultimate kickboxing simulator—complete with exotic locales and groundbreaking fighting systems."

Details remain scarce without gameplay footage or screenshots, but substantial reveals are anticipated before year's end.