In what is being described as an ‘industry first’ a hit videogame is being used as the setting and theme not for a movie, or a TV show (as we have seen countless times in the past) but as the inspiration for an unscripted, competition-based reality TV show.
The upcoming series will be based on Gameloft’s hit Asphalt game series and is the product of CA–Radar Pictures & N4XT Experiences joint venture RadarN4XT.
In the show gamers, car enthusiasts and adrenaline-seekers from around the world will compete in Asphalt to earn a spot on the track. From there, the finalists will move into Asphalt House and hone their real-life driving skills and face challenges at the Asphalt Driving Academy in order to face off in real-life races in their own souped up supercars.
The gamers will battle each other (and surprise guests) until only one is left to claim the grand prize and the title Asphalt Legend – Asphalt 9: Legend being the latest version of the game.
Blurring the lines
Radar’s Anthony Tringali says, “In our groundbreaking unscripted series, we are excited to take the Asphalt games to the next level by putting gamers in the driver’s seat of cool cars in turbocharged races. And the audience will feel they are coming along for the ride.”
Marcus Ticotin, a producer at N4XT says, “With Asphalt and Gameloft as our exciting partner, we’re achieving a first in unscripted programming and game-to-TV collaborations.”
Originally published in 2004, there have now been an incredible 15 Asphalt games, available on multiple console, mobile, and portable gaming devices. The franchise leads the free-to-play racing segment with over 1.2 billion downloads worldwide.
Ludovic Milhau, Head of Brand Strategy & Development at Gameloft said, “We are very excited to bring Asphalt to a new media, especially in collaboration with global partners with proven track record like Radar N4XT. This is a unique opportunity for Gameloft and Asphalt to go one step further in the entertainment industry, with a disruptive concept of unscripted TV show based on a video game franchise.
“With RadarN4XT, we will do what we do best: delivering a thrilling and unexpected experience, a new way of going beyond imagination with amazing cars.”
The series is currently being shopped around the networks looking for a partner for distribution.
Daniel Griffiths is a veteran journalist who has worked on some of the world's biggest entertainment, home and tech media brands. He's reviewed all the greats, interviewed countless big names, and reported on thousands of releases in the fields of video games, music, movies, tech, gadgets, home improvement, self build, interiors, garden design and more. He’s the ex-Editor of PSM3, GamesMaster, Future Music and ex-Group Editor-in-Chief of Electronic Musician, Guitarist, Guitar World, Computer Music and more. He renovates property and writes fun things for great websites.