Coming soon: a video game adaption of Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender. Avatar is a 2005–2008 animated fantasy series about elemental “benders,” who can control water, earth, fire, and air. Aang, the last of a forgotten clan of airbenders, must master all four elements to become the Avatar. Its popularity led to the spin-off series The Legend of Korra, two live-action productions, three comic runs, an Avatar book series, and several video games.
IGN says its next video game adaptation will be its largest. Avatar will be an RPG that lets players manipulate the elements in an immersive environment. The unnamed game, developed by Saber Interactive (Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2) and Paramount’s in-house gaming company, would include a “never-before-seen” Avatar in an original tale thousands of years before the television program.
Expectations for the New Avatar Game
The Avatar game’s title, release date, and gameplay are unknown. According to Saber Interactive Head of IP Development & Licensing Josh Austin, the adaptation will be accurate: “We love our IP. It’s a privilege to work with Avatar Studios and Paramount Games to build the Avatar Legends world in video games with our team of dedicated, enthusiastic creatives.”
In addition to the Avatar RPG, series creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko want to expand the property via Avatar Studios. The project was announced in 2021 with Aang: The Last Airbender, which has yet to be released. Its plot may use aspects from other Avatar films to form a coherent whole.
Time for a AAA Avatar Game
Most fantasy RPGs employ elemental damage methods to assess strengths and weaknesses, thus an Avatar game makes sense. Any kid who saw the program wanted to be a bender—I vividly recall schoolyard discussions about which country was superior. Next best is a precise, complete video game adaptation.
The Avatar series has had mixed video game results. The 2006 film Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequels are among its most notable. As with other multi-platform IP adaptations of its time, this one was poorly regarded, although the games sold well due to the series’ popularity. Since then, Quest for Balance, lambasted for its poor performance and hurried plot, and Avatar Generations, a short-lived mobile game, have followed.
I think Avatar deserves better. The series is legendary for good reason. It’s recognized for its unique graphic style and well-crafted universe, which translate well to video games. In a press release, Paramount SVP, Games and Emerging Media Doug Rosen says, “We know loyal fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender have been eager for more stories that bring them into the show’s universe, and through gaming, we’re able to expand the world-building and allow fans to experience the new content in a completely immersive way.”
So this next adaption may be Avatar’s due. Will the newly unveiled Avatar: The Last Airbender RPG live up to its hype? Time will tell.
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