The gangster flick many rappers swear by is finally coming to video – games that is. A video game version of the classic "The Godfather" book/film is in the works, Electronic Arts and Viacom Consumer Products announced Wednesday (Feb. 2).
"The Godfather," written by Mario Puzo and developed into a Paramount Pictures motion picture is the basis of a new video game with the same story line and characters as depicted in text and on big screen. Rappers like Shyne, Kool G Rap, Spoonie Gee and others have closely identified with the gangster icon.
"We are confident this game will deliver the depth of the experience expected by ‘The Godfather’ movie fans around the world," said Sandi Isaacs, Vice President of Interactive from Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products.
As members of the Corleone family, game players must gain reverence and status through various means, to eventually become Don during the 1945-1955 eras in New York. Players will also have a chance to develop their own mob character, and after fulfilling several mischievous
tasks will be accepted into the Corleone family.
"We are incredibly excited and honored to have the opportunity to bring the fiction of ‘The Godfather’ to life in a video game," EA Executive Producer David DeMartini said in a statement. "’The Godfather’ movies raised the standard for cinematic achievement with their high level of drama and intense story telling."
Several actors who played classic roles in "The Godfather" are involved in the game’s development and supply their likeness, including James Caan as Sonny Corleone, and Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen.
Prior to his death, veteran actor Marlon Brando, who played the main character Don Vito Corleone in the film, allowed EA to use his image. The famed actor also performed a voiceover with the game’s developers.
"The Godfather" game is expected to release in fall 2005 under EA GAMES for video gaming systems Xbox, Sony PlayStation 2, and Sony PSP handheld.
The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB.
"Scarface," another gangster movie dear to Hip-Hop, will be released as a video game later this year as well.