LogInThe filmmaker says DC Studios already has plans for movies and games in place, so they're "good."
James Gunn has recently stated that four years will be enough to develop an AAA game based on the DC universe.
Earlier the filmmaker and the new co-chairmen and co-CEOs of DC Studios shared his vision for a "unified universe", which is set to connect the stories about DC characters across movies, TV shows, and video games. He also noted that DC Studios will try to use the same actors in the games so that the universe would be coherent even in different formats.
This announcement was met with criticism from a number of developers who argued that movie stars can't replace voice actors since they bring different skills to the table as well as that trying to make the DC universe "unified" could make the development process more difficult for game creators.
Some players also expressed dissatisfaction with Gunn's decision. For instance, one fan noted that top AAA games usually take 6 years to develop and urged Gunn to consider the challenge of creating a shared universe between movies and games.
Responding to this fan's comment, the filmmaker said that he believes the statement about six years is exaggerated and that the typical development time is closer to four years if everything is properly planned out. He also mentioned that DC Studios already has plans in place that go beyond that time frame expressing his confidence in the studios' ability to manage the development process.
Although according to Gunn, a four-year development period is sufficient for creating an AAA game, in reality, the development process can be complicated and take much more time. For example, Rocksteady's most recent title, Batman: Arkham Knight, was released almost eight years ago, and the next game from the studio, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, won't be available until May 2023.
A timeframe of four years will likely only be achievable for shorter, less complex games. It, however, remains to be seen if Gunn will redirect Warner Bros. game studios toward these types of projects.
What's your take on Gunn's vision of the "unified" DC universe? Do you believe that 4 years is enough to develop a big AAA game? Share your thoughts and don't forget to join our 80 Level Talent platform, our Reddit page, and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.