Former Call of Duty Devs Are Making the First Ever Official Kickboxer Video Game — but Is Jean-Claude Van Damme in It?

Former Call of Duty developers are creating the first-ever video game based on the iconic Kickboxer martial arts film franchise. Los Angeles-based Force Multiplier Studios is collaborating with Dimitri Logothetis and Rob Hickman, the filmmakers behind the recent Kickboxer trilogy reboot, to bring this project to life.

Jean-Claude Van Damme, the star of the original 1989 Kickboxer film and its subsequent reboot trilogy (including Kickboxer: Vengeance, Kickboxer: Retaliation, and the upcoming Kickboxer: Armageddon), is a significant part of the franchise's legacy. While his involvement in the video game remains unconfirmed, the game promises to feature iconic characters and locations from the universe he helped create.

The game, currently in early development, is described by Force Multiplier Studios as a "kinetic martial arts action brawler" that will blend the rich narrative of the Kickboxer films with intense gameplay. While Force Multiplier Studios has confirmed they possess licenses for numerous characters and likenesses, they remain tight-lipped about Jean-Claude Van Damme's potential involvement. Brent Friedman, Chief Creative Officer at Force Multiplier Studios, stated, "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. We'll have much more to share later in the year."

Force Multiplier Studios, co-founded by Jeremy Breslau, Brent Friedman, and Charnjit Bansi—veterans of prominent game studios with experience on titles such as Call of Duty, Borderlands, Halo, Tomb Raider, and Mortal Kombat—brings a wealth of experience to the project.

Dimitri Logothetis, writer and director of *Kickboxer: Armageddon*, enthusiastically commented, "Kickboxer is more than just a film; it's a cultural phenomenon that has inspired generations of fans and martial artists alike. 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."

This isn't Force Multiplier Studios' first foray into gaming; they previously released the combat shooter Karnivus within Fortnite. However, the Kickboxer game represents a significant step up for the team, promising innovative fighting mechanics and immersive environments. Jeremy Breslau, CEO of Force Multiplier Studios, added, “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.”

Further details, including screenshots and a trailer, are expected later this year.