This month has been a thrilling time for fans of the Predator franchise, as 20th Century Studios has provided exciting glimpses into upcoming projects. Among these, the highly anticipated theatrical release, Badlands, directed by Dan Trachtenberg, and the animated anthology series, Killer of Killers, have generated significant buzz within the fan community. Adding to the excitement, the comic realm is witnessing the Predator's latest engagement in a dramatic conflict with none other than Spider-Man. This storyline promises to escalate tensions across the broader Marvel universe in the coming summer months. Yet, amidst this rich tapestry of content, one glaring absence remains: a dedicated video game featuring the iconic alien hunter.

Historically, the presence of the Predator in the gaming world has been relatively limited in its 38-year legacy. While there have been various adaptations linked to the first two films and a mobile tie-in for the 2010 film, Predators, the standout titles include 2005s Concrete Jungle, a 2018 VR game, and the multiplayer-centric Hunting Grounds released in 2020. One of the franchises most notable appearances came as downloadable content (DLC) in Mortal Kombat X, which also featured the Alien, demonstrating that the Predator is best suited for multiplayer formats.

The unique capabilities of the Yautja, including sophisticated technology and advanced hunting methods, make them formidable opponents. This aligns perfectly with their depiction in films, where they serve as significant challenges for heroes to overcome. While Hunting Grounds continues to receive updates and new content, not every fan is eager to dive into competitive gameplay to fulfill their dreams of stepping into the shoes of an intergalactic hunter.

In contrast, the Alien franchise has thrived across multiple gaming genres, such as shooters and survival horror, effectively capitalizing on its terrifying premise. This has led to the successful creation of various game styles, including a Metroidvania. Conversely, the Predator is often viewed as having a more restricted range of narrative possibilities, making it challenging to create a single-player experience akin to Alien Isolation. The less-than-stellar reception of Concrete Jungle when it debuted is likely why studios have hesitated to pursue standalone titles for the Predator, despite its potential. The game featured Scarface, a disgraced Predator aiming to regain his honor by hunting humans, which was an inventive way to level the playing field between hunter and prey. However, the game's shortcomings highlighted the need for a fresh approach to the franchise.

A key aspect that makes Badlands particularly intriguing is Trachtenbergs innovative approach to storytelling. By shifting the perspective to a young Yautja outcast named Dak, the film embraces a narrative that echoes video game elements, with Dak embarking on a journey to transform into a skilled hunter on an alien planet. The inclusion of a sword and an android companion in Dak's arsenal enriches this game-like premise. Trachtenberg has cited Shadow of the Colossus as an influence on the film, and the choice to provide the Yautja with a fully developed language enhances the immersive experience, reminiscent of choices made in video game design. With a background that includes directing a short film for Portal in 2011 and creating a cinematic introduction for Warframe in 2019, it seems that video games play an integral role in Trachtenberg's storytelling approach.

In the landscape of modern entertainment, Disney has been licensing its properties to game developers, leading to a variety of creative interpretations, including life simulation games and platformers starring iconic characters. The success of franchises like RoboCop and Terminator demonstrates that there is more creative freedom in developing games based on intellectual properties compared to the past. As 20th Century Studios explores new directions for the Predator franchise, venturing into the gaming realm could be a viable path forward. The franchise certainly deserves a chance to prove its capabilities as a compelling video game, and fans are eager to see how it might evolve in this medium.