Alcon Entertainment confirms talks for AAA Blade Runner video game

Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson, executive producers for Blade Runner 2099 and co-CEOs of Alcon Entertainment, the owner of the Blade Runner franchise, have confirmed that they are in discussions to create a AAA video game based on the franchise.

The confirmation came during an interview with IGN ahead of Blade Runner 2099’s release on Prime Video on November 25. IGN’s Virginia Glaze asked Kosove and Johnson about Cyberpunk 2077 and whether Blade Runner had ever received a similar AAA game release.

“Yes,” Kosove confirmed, and emphasized the phrase “AAA,” making it clear that Alcon has a grand vision for Blade Runner’s future in the gaming space. He could not share more details but stressed the importance of allowing players to “interact” with the world of Blade Runner in this hypothetical game.

Foro3D also reported on the confirmation, noting that Kosove and Johnson said talks are underway to develop a AAA video game based on the cyberpunk universe. The outlet added that Kosove noted the importance of players interacting with that world, though he offered no details about the project.

IGN’s report outlines the franchise’s limited history in video games. Based on IGN’s own list of Blade Runner games, the franchise has four licensed titles. The first, published in 1985 by CRL Group PLC for the Commodore 64, was described as merely “inspired” by the "Vangelis soundtrack" of Ridley Scott’s 1982 film and not a direct adaptation, due to the cost of movie rights at the time.

The next Blade Runner game was released in 1997. Developed by Westwood Studios and published by Virgin Interactive, this point-and-click adventure title was one of the very first titles to use 3D character models and real-time environments. A remake was released in 2022.

Another game, titled Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth, was announced in 2023 and developed by Annapurna Interactive. The project is now largely considered to be canceled, having been delisted from Steam and removed from Annapurna’s website.

Blade Runner 2049: Replicant Pursuit was released in 2017. It was a short, tie-in VR experience meant to promote the second film, but not a full, official game.

Foro3D noted that the franchise has only had four licensed titles, highlighting the 1997 Westwood Studios classic as a pioneer in the use of 3D character models and real-time rendered environments. The outlet also listed the Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth project by Annapurna as now scrapped.

IGN reported that it has been nearly 30 years since Blade Runner fans have had a fresh, critically acclaimed video game adaptation.

Blade Runner 2099 releases on Prime Video on November 25.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.