Kickboxer Game by Ex-Call of Duty Devs: Will Jean-Claude Van Damme Star?

Ex-Call of Duty developers are stepping into the ring with 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 rebooted Kickboxer trilogy, to bring this exciting project to life.

The original Kickboxer film, released in 1989 and starring martial arts legend Jean-Claude Van Damme, was a massive hit that led to several sequels. Although Van Damme didn't return for Kickboxer 2, opting instead for 1991's Double Impact, he did reprise 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.

This logo is all we have for now on the Kickboxer video game. As for the game itself, it's in the early stages of development. Force Multiplier Studios promises a blend of the rich narrative of Kickboxer with high-energy martial arts action, creating an intense, high-octane brawler. The game will feature iconic characters and locations from the franchise, originally starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.

When asked if Van Damme would star in the video game, 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 is a fresh development studio co-founded by Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi, who have previously led narrative and design on major titles like 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, a combat shooter called Karnivus, was 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.