Carpenter Conjures Games for Cult Classic 'Halloween'

Boss Team Games is developing two new Halloween titles with John Carpenter involved. Read on to find details about the upcoming games, Boss Team Games' history with horror titles, and John Carpenter's enthusiasm for video games.

New Halloween Games in DevelopmentJohn Carpenter and Boss Team Games Collaborate

In a recent exclusive with IGN, Boss Team Games, renowned for Evil Dead: The Game, proclaimed they are developing two new horror games predicated on the Halloween film franchise. Adding to the exhilaration, John Carpenter, the esteemed director of the seminal 1978 Halloween film, divulged his participation in one of the games. Carpenter, an avowed ardent gamer, articulated his fervor for resurrecting Michael Myers in a video game, underscoring his aspiration to engender a genuinely terrifying experience for players.

The games, currently in the incipient phases of development, will be propelled by Unreal Engine 5 and are being forged in concert with Compass International Pictures and Further Front. As per the official pronouncement, players will be empowered to relive epochs from the film and assume the identities of iconic characters from the franchise. Boss Team Games CEO Steve Harris characterized the occasion to collaborate with characters such as Michael Myers and co-create with John Carpenter as a dream come true, accentuating the team's devotion to delivering an unparalleled and enthralling experience for both horror aficionados and gamers.

Whilst the announcement has engendered considerable fervor, further particulars concerning the games remain shrouded in secrecy, leaving fans eagerly anticipating additional information.

The Halloween Franchise’s Odyssey Through Gaming and Horror

The Halloween franchise has a storied history in the horror genre but a relatively limited presence in the gaming world. The only official Halloween game to date was released in 1983 for the Atari 2600 by Wizard Video, where players take on the role of a baby-sitter tasked with saving as many children as possible from a knife wielding serial killer. This rare adaptation, alongside Wizard’s version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, has become a collector's item over the years.

Michael Myers, the franchise's iconic antagonist, has made several appearances in modern video games as a downloadable content (DLC) character. Notably, he was featured in the popular multiplayer horror game Dead by Daylight, where players could embody the terrifying figure. Additionally, Myers appeared as a playable character in a DLC pack for Call of Duty: Ghosts and joined the ranks of Fortnite during the Fortnitemares 2023 event, alongside other horror icons like Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Given the statement that players will be able to play as classic characters, it's possible that both Michael Myers and Laurie Strode, the franchise's enduring protagonists, will feature prominently in the upcoming games. This aligns with the franchise's tradition of pitting these two characters against each other, a dynamic that has captivated audiences for decades.

Since its debut in 1978, the Halloween franchise has become a cornerstone of the horror genre, spawning 13 films that have cemented its place in cinematic history. The series includes:

　⚫︎　Halloween (1978)
　⚫︎　Halloween II (1981)
　⚫︎　Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
　⚫︎　Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
　⚫︎　Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
　⚫︎　Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
　⚫︎　Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
　⚫︎　Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
　⚫︎　Halloween (2007)
　⚫︎　Halloween (2018)
　⚫︎　Halloween Kills (2021)
　⚫︎　Halloween Ends (2022)

Boss Team Games' Horror Expertise and John Carpenter’s Gaming Enthusiasm

Boss Team Games has a strong background in horror gaming, with Evil Dead: The Game standing out as a notable success. Developed in partnership with Saber Interactive, the game has received acclaim for its faithful adaptation of the beloved horror franchise, leading to multiple editions, including a Game of the Year version.

John Carpenter's involvement in the new Halloween games is not surprising, given his well-documented love for video games. In a 2022 interview with The AV Club, Carpenter discussed his admiration for the Dead Space series, even expressing a desire to direct a film adaptation of the game. He has also shared his enjoyment of titles like Fallout: New Vegas, Borderlands, Horizon: Forbidden West, and Assassin's Creed Valhalla. Carpenter's deep connection to gaming, coupled with his horror expertise, promises to bring an authentic and thrilling touch to the upcoming Halloween titles.

As development progresses, fans of the Halloween franchise and horror games alike can look forward to what promises to be a chilling and immersive experience.