MUMBAI: In India, many a movies have touched new heights at the box office year after year. Filmmakers leave no stone unturned to promote their movies and making a video game around it has been just one way to create that added buzz and get the publicity juggernaut rolling. Over the years, the digital media has unleashed newer avenues to create more buzz for movies. Movies like Ra.One, Ghajini, Dhoom 3 or the very recent super hit flick Baahubali to name a few have rolled out video games to capture the pulse of the audience before the movie’s theatrical release.
Video games have been a growing phenomenon since the mid 1980s and are still sprouting at a fast pace in India. From kids to teenagers to collegians to seniors, everyone is glued to their smart phone screens engrossed in playing games. With vast improvements in technology, the video gaming industry has evolved from a simple two dimensional games to realist, fast paced, life like experiences. Be it online or offline, gaming remains as the favourite past time for everyone to kill time or for plain entertainment.
Movies aside, television shows too have the potential to be turned into video games and we at Indiantelevision.com put our heads together to chalk out ten television shows that can make a graceful transition into video games.
From detective series to mythos, there’s something in here to cater to the tastes of one and all. Read on for the list of programmes, which we think deserve to join the glamorous realm of gaming:
1) Agent Raghav
This crime fiction television series if turned into a game would definitely earn a fortune seeing the craze amongst the young players in the society over a famous game becoming viral each passing day. The game would involve the player face personal challenges with non-stop adventure, tremendous pressure and risk, all in the name of duty, to find and catch the criminal(s) led by the smallest of clues. The video gamers would be the Indian Sherlock Holmes to deduce significant information from small insignificant looking clues.
2. Byomkesh Bakshi
The fictional detective series Byomkesh Bakshi revolves around a detective who takes up spine-chilling cases where he lets the perpetuator die by manipulating the circumstances. This ‘truth seeking’ show, if made into a game would yet again gain high popularity as the players would have to trigger their mental capability by observe every minute details attached with a case, studying it to the core, taking into account all perspectives and then finally coming to a conclusion. This brainstorming game would also give the players a push by using their own methods as redemption and to deliver justice for the victims in absence of evidence.
3. CID
Daya, kuch toh gadbad hai!! We’ve grown up watching this iconic television show, which has been running successfully for 18 years now on Sony Entertainment Television. It is now the Sony’s longest running show. Yet another detective television anthology series, CID is all about the Criminal Investigation Department and how do they solve a ‘not-so-easy’ case. The show if converted into a video game will also enjoy the same amount of followers as the television show has garnered over the years. In the CID game, players will have to study and observe the entire criminal case from the root to the tip thereby catching the accused or the criminal mind(s) behind it.
4. Everest
Everest was a TV show about a group of people undergoing training before attempting to climb Mount Everest. Think of a game wherein the players can have the control over the training that is required for the people who aspire to reach the peak of the highest mountain in the world. Hang on, why not try going international with this idea as well? A game with all possible obstacles, ups and downs, twists and twirls, replete with avalanches and snow storms that will also enable players with an option on which mountain they would want to climb! Now that’s an idea!
5. Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi
What fun would a video game be, which give its players an adrenaline rush in the veins! Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi is a stunt reality game show, which is full of adventure and breathtaking stunts. This show makes it to this list without any doubt. A powerful online video game full of action and bundles of surprises wherein gamers can overcome their fears when they face extreme situations, confronted with danger and challenges. The fears can be either given by the other players playing in that round or through a small smart quiz taken up by the player themself.
6. Mahabharat
Gaming draws inspiration from a variety of sources. Current socio-political issues, the works of established authors and to the delight of many I know, ancient cultures. One of the most important and the costliest TV show to be produced is Mahabharat.
Based on the Hindu epic of the same name, Mahabharat is the epic story of the family feud between the noble Pandava princes and their scheming cousins, the Kaurava kings. This gigantic mythological TV show full of revenge, anger and fights can be converted into an episodic game, with each episode focusing on one of the multiple named characters. A game to see how they get along as the play shifts perspective from one group to the other, telling the myriad story from many sides. If made into a game, this will be a sure shot retreat to the gamers with its plush visual effects.
7. Roadies
Oh yes! Who hasn’t heard about this show?! Many people wish to and even have tried to be a part of this reality television show. The craze among the youth for this show, which has been running for the last 12 years is never-ending. Think of an online video game on a show you have followed crazily. A game full of travel, adventures, action, manipulation and also a slight touch of voyeurism wherein a player will have to do every possible thing to survive and win the ultimate title.
8. Shaktimaan
Andhera Kayam Rahe!! Yes, our very own superhero Shaktimaan. Everyone is a superhero fan. Some accept it, some don’t. Love for superheroes in Indians range from Batman to Shaktimaan with Krrish hanging somewhere in the middle. Imagine an opportunity where you can replace the superhero you have adored in your childhood days. A game wherein you will have all the superpowers trying to finish or may be at least reduce corruption and injustice in society and fight the evil prevailing in the world.
9. The Adventures of Hatim
Don’t we remember our childhood hero Hatim, the Prince of Yamen, who went on a journey to solve the seven riddles in order to destroy the evil sorcerer Zargam. Imagine how will it be if this TV show is turned into a video game. A fantasy game full of fights, mysteries, puzzles, magic and blood. Like Hatim, the player will have hands on a magical sword and will set out on a journey, which requires both mental and physical strength. How interesting will it be to discover this ultimate mission by solving the seven riddles to attain the seven virtues to be able to defeat the evil sorcerer? A game wherein you can fight against all the darkness striving toward light with bravery?
10. 24
24 is a series, which has penetrated successfully pan India airing 24 episodes covering 24 hours in the life of Jai Singh Rathore aka Anil Kapoor in the Indian version of the international show. Think of a game where a player has to race against the clock as he attempts to thwart multiple terrorist plots, including presidential assassination attempts, weapons of mass destruction detonations, bioterrorism, cyber attacks, as well as conspiracies, which deal with government and corporate corruption. Wouldn’t that be better than the same old games that we have been playing over a decade now?
*The shows are listed alphabetically in ascending order
