Seconds after reading this my first thought was ‘heck no, motion pictures aren’t essential to the gaming experience, nor should they ever be.’

Wait a minute. I don’t want to jump the gun like Roger Ebert did when he sparked controversy with his video games can’t be art rant and then have to “kind of” retract my comment.

I still hold firm the belief that a movie will never be essential to any gaming experience, unless famed Metal Gear Solid whiz Hideo Kojima says he is going to direct an MGS movie.

However, they definitely can add to the experience.

I say this not because a film has added to any of my gaming experiences, and probably won’t in the foreseeable future (Resident Evil: Afterlife comes to mind…shudder), but instead because of what other mediums have done with video game subjects at the helm.

Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne and Dragon Age: The Calling are perfect examples. 

They are able to add rich stories and lovable characters to a world already overflowing with both. Sure, they hold up better going in with some knowledge of the game, but for anyone that needs more of their favorite gaming world, they certainly deliver.

The same is true for other series like Halo, Gears of War and Mass Effect. Each excels in fleshing out and improving upon an already splendidly crafted world via novels or comic books.

It’s only a matter of time before a movie “gets it right.” And honestly, movies should be able to offer a great story or entertainment to fans of the source material. Video games are visual and immersive just like movies. Many video games use cutscenes, spoken dialogue and movie techniques to present a story, so in theory, a great video game movie should absolutely be possible if given the right treatment and seriousness.

Neither books nor movies can immerse like a video game can on the same level, but they definitely can enrich a video game universe.