Godfather Game Coming in 2005

[insert mangled Godfather quote here.]

It's hard to overestimate the effect that The Godfather had on the movie world and popular culture in general. EA is hoping it'll do the same as a videogame. The company has announced that it is working on an adaptation of the popular movie, which is currently on track for release on PC, Xbox, PlayStation 2 and PSP this autumn.

While film-to-game conversions are seldom any good, The Godfather is no ordinary flick. The game will delve deep into the canon laid down by both Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 movie and Mario Puzo's original novel.

"We are incredibly excited and honoured to have the opportunity to bring the fiction of The Godfather to life in a videogame," said David DeMartini, executive producer of the game at EA.

"The Godfather movies raised the standard for cinematic achievement with their high level of drama and intense storytelling and [this autumn] gamers will be able to experience that dangerous and living world of The Godfather for themselves."

But simply following the same plot wouldn't be much of a game, which is why EA is opening up the experience. The game will be non-linear and mission based, similar to the recent Grand Theft Auto games, and will follow the life of a young hoodlum in New York, as he works his way up the criminal ladder and into the Corleone family.

And just like the Mob, which goes about its manifold ventures in many different ways, you'll be able to accomplish your criminal objectives through coercion, diplomacy and outright violence. The storyline, which will follow elements of the film and the book, branches, depending on how you play, so everyone who plays will have a different experience.

To add authenticity to the video game, EA has already secured appearances by several of the original movie cast members, including James Caan, Robert Duvall and Marlon Brando, who recorded his contribution shortly before his death last year.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games