Summary
It is no secret that after the release ofThe Last Crusade, theIndiana Jonesfranchise has struggled a bit to connect with audiences. With the release ofThe Dial of Destiny, it is pretty clear that moviegoers do not really have any interest in seeing more Harrison Ford-ledIndiana Jonesfilms. However, Disney is not planning on stopping anytime soon as MachineGames prepares to release its own entry sometime in 2024. And if it proves to be a success, then maybe the future of the franchise is in the gaming space.
There are many reasons whytheIndiana Jonesfranchise has struggled lately, including an aging lead star, lack of engaging stories, and overall fatigue. But a video game has the chance to inject new life into this series if MachineGames is able to do it justice. Not only does a video game let the series tell a whole new type of story, but it is also not tied down by the same things the films are. Instead, it can put players in the shoes of Indy in his prime, which can lead to a fantastic experience that fans may not soon forget.
The Indiana Jones Franchise Could Find New Life Within the Video Game Industry
Indiana Jones Has Struggled a Bit Recently in the Film Industry
AlthoughIndiana Jonesnever reached the heights ofStar Wars, there was a time when it was a massive hit for Lucasfilm. The first three films brought viewers on exciting adventures andThe Young Indiana Jones Chronicleslet them see Indy in his earliest days. While the Harrison Ford films were better than the TV show, they all helped make a series that will forever be iconic. However, ever since the end of the show,Indiana Joneshas been in a bit of a tough spot.
After a 19-year gap,Indiana Jonesreturned to the big screen withThe Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. It may have ended up grossing the most out of any film in the series, but it proved extremely controversial with the fanbase and is often considered the worst entry. Instead of forging ahead with the plotlines laid out in it, the series was once again put on hold for 15 years beforeThe Dial of Destinywas released. And while that film may have been a bit better than its predecessor, due to its massive budget, it ended up losing Disney an estimated $100 million.
Indiana Jones' Video Games Could Revive This Struggled Series
Even though no announcement has been made,Indiana Jonesis likely to be put on hold yet again after these two recent entries failed to deliver. There is a strong chance that fans will not see another film in this series for a long time, and when one finally releases, it will probably not be the same. But, that does not mean there are no plans forfutureIndiana Jonesadventures, as MachineGames is currently hard at work crafting its own chapter in this story;Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.
It is too early to say ifThe Great Circlewill be a hit, but the gameplay trailer has shown a game that may be perfect for fans of the series. Instead of following in the footsteps of olderIndiana Jonesgames, this title will put players in the shoes of the titular character via a first-person viewpoint. It seems like that will lead to an adventure unlike any other, andbased on MachineGames' past games, it may be exactly what fans have been looking for.
IfThe Great Circlesucceeds, then it needs to usher in a new era of Indy-led games. If the franchise cannot survive at the box office, then it could find new life within video games. These stories could let players see this character in his prime, which would let the studio expand the series' mythos in exciting new ways and finally give fans the experiences they have wanted since the very first film. While he may have taken his final bow on screen, his stories and adventures could live on for eternity if the video game industry gives the series the care it deserves.
Indiana Jones and The Great Circlewill arrive sometime in 2024 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
