Lyrical Animation, the production company behind the upcoming Bloodborne film produced by Jacksepticeye, has tapped another lore-expert YouTuber to lead its next video game adaptation.
MoistCr1TiKaL (aka penguinz0, aka Charlie White) has partnered with Lyrical and game developer Jagex to adapt long-running, beloved fantasy MMORPG RuneScape as an animated series.
White, who is well-known for his dedication to RuneScape (it’s at the top of his list as “the best MMO”), will produce the series through his company Meatier Productions.
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It seems his involvement in this project is similar to Jacksepticeye’s involvement in Bloodborne. They’re both functioning not only as producers, but as dedicated fans–loremasters who can help keep adaptations in tune with established worldbuilding and player preferences.
Jagex CEO Jon Bellamy unveiled plans for RuneScape‘s adaptation at the game’s annual event RuneFest.
“For 25 years, our players have helped shape RuneScape’s extraordinary world, its characters and its stories,” he said. “When we talk about the future of RuneScape, we don’t just mean games. We see huge potential to bring Gielinor to life in new ways, both for the millions who already know and love it and for a whole new audience. It’s early days, but we’re excited to explore that potential with Charlie and the team at Lyrical Animation, and we wanted our players to be the first to know.”
Lyrical and White are also working together on a 2D animated adaptation of White’s comic Godslap; that film is slated for release in 2028.
“RuneScape has such a unique storytelling voice, at once laugh-out-loud funny and effortlessly insightful,” Daniel Dominguez, Lyrical Animation’s Creative Director, said in a statement. “To be allowed to help bring that to life for its millions of fans alongside our dear friend Charlie again is a dream come true.”
We’ve heard a lot lately about Hollywood reaching into the creator pool, chasing the success of creator IP films like Iron Lung, Obsession, and Backrooms (and sometimes stepping on toes in the process). But it’s heartening to see studios making films that aren’t based on creators’ ideas still reach out to creators, recognizing them as passionate experts who know fictional worlds’ lorebooks and fan communities better than anyone.
