Saber Interactive announces new John Wick action game for PlayStation, Xbox and PC: What we know so far

Saber Interactive has announced a new John Wick action game. This new AAA action title was unveiled during Sony's State of Play Showcase on February 12. The game will release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, though no release date has been confirmed. The title is being developed in collaboration with Lionsgate and the creators of the John Wick film franchise, including director Chad Stahelski and actor Keanu Reeves. Saber Interactive, known for titles including World War Z and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, is handling the development.This marks the third video game based on the John Wick franchise. Two previous titles, John Wick Chronicles (a VR shooter) and John Wick Hex (a strategy game), were released in recent years but have since been delisted from digital shopfronts. The new game represents a return to the franchise in the video game space, with a focus on AAA production values.The unnamed in-development John Wick video game boasts an all-new script that takes place years before the "Impossible Task", a major plot point mentioned throughout the film series. The placement of this timeline allows developers to explore aspects of the franchise's backstory, using both new and established characters within the setting that truly define the films.Keanu Reeves is returning to voice and portray John Wick in the game. A reveal trailer aired during a State of Play event showed Reeves in the role. As PlayStation Blog stated, "We are working closely with Chad Stahelski, Keanu Reeves, and Lionsgate to produce a highly anticipated, adrenaline-fuelled experience that fits into the world of John Wick."The studio behind this combat system is Saber Interactive, which aims to recreate the gun-fu style of fighting seen in movies by integrating shooting and dancing into the video game. The video game's plans for the combat system, camera movements, driving scenes, and environment are well-detailed by the developers.According to Lionsgate's Jenefer Brown, "We are collaborating closely with Saber's dedicated team to develop a game that captures the unparalleled action, brand-defining fight choreography, immersive world-building, and authenticity of the films."The game's environments are being designed to serve both gameplay and narrative functions. Saber Interactive previously worked on Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, which sold over seven million units in its first year and received nominations at The Game Awards. The studio is applying this experience to create detailed settings that incorporate the visual elements associated with the John Wick franchise.The State of Play trailer was primarily cinematic but included brief gameplay segments that demonstrated the visual quality and combat approach. According to a report by Kotaku, "Even though there isn't a lot of gameplay to really sink your teeth into, the one notable thing is how gorgeous the graphics look! And hey, we get to see and hear Keanu Reeves in video game form once again."This is a single-player, third-person action game designed for mature audiences, consistent with the tone of the films. In the PlayStation Blog, Saber Interactive said, "Our goal is to create a wholly immersive experience unlike any other in video games. Something that blurs the line between movies and video games, making it something truly special."The game is available to wishlist now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. There is no title or release date yet, but the developers have noted that more information will be revealed, including the name and a tentative launch window.The John Wick franchise comprises four movies that have collectively grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. This universe has continued to grow, first with the television series The Continental and then with the Ballerina spin-off film starring Ana de Armas.Additional projects are planned, including a film centred on Donnie Yen's character, Cain, and a sequel to John Wick: Chapter 4. The game is being developed during a period when the franchise has multiple interconnected projects across different media.