I do have to admit, I have read my share of novel adaptations. Mostly movie, although there have been some television series thrown in there for fun, too. Oh, there was that awesome time in the mid to late 90s when Marvel turned out some really good original prose for their more popular characters. However, that is not why I write this piece. You’ve seen them in bookstores, on the web, and maybe even in your local gaming or comic shop. I’m talking about the video game adaptation. I’m not including the ones based on RPGs because the characters, by their very nature, require in-depth development before they can even begin an adventure. As a matter of fact, the first novel I wrote was an adaptation of an epic mission from my Top Secret days. No, I’m talk strictly video games here.

My first foray was about 25-26 years ago with a novel based on Metal Gear for the NES. I’d already played and beat the game before, I was just curious to see if there was any goodies added for those of us who cared enough to buy the book. Outside of maybe picking up more direct ways to beating the puzzles, the book was largely forgettable. But, that was ok. It had a bit of action and was somewhat entertaining, so not a total loss. Some years later there were a couple of novels based on Mortal Kombat that were published. The first one was a prequel and mostly sucked. I remember Johnny Cage being particularly unlikable. I think that scared me off from adaptations for a long time until, needing some technothriller in my life, I read a Splinter Cell novel. This was particularly well written, pulled me into the story, and made me like the protagonist, even if he was kinda wooden. I think the fact that this was based on a Tom Clancy property helped improve the quality, somewhat.

Just the other day I was thinking about video game adaptations and it made me wonder… do they actually add to the story? Do they entice people who are generally nonreaders to pick up a book? Or, are they just a big money grab? Honestly, I think all three are true, in varying degrees. Why read the book if it is a shot for shot replay of the game? Maybe you get a little more history on the characters or find out why said spy organization is no longer friendly with a disenfranchised agent. The only way to find out it to read the book! Which proves the big money grab point! Nothing wrong with that… you’re in a business to make money. But, do you have to be so bloody obvious about it? But… do these books entice gamers who aren’t already readers to become readers? I don’t know. I have attempted, with one known successful case, to use a friend’s love for video games to get him to read and he did – and he enjoyed it!

So, the next time you’re in a bookstore and unsure about trying something new, maybe visiting familiar territory in a different way may be something to try. Who knows, maybe you’ll gain new insight or just a faster way to end that boss battle. Either way, it sounds like a win-win!