Syfy Preps Video Game-Based Pilot

NEW YORK: Syfy is aligning with games developer THQ for a two-hour movie pilot based on the Red Faction video game franchise, with broadcast slated for March 2011.

The transmedia deal sees Syfy developing Red Faction: Origins (working title) as a potential live-action series, beginning with the two-hour movie pilot to be produced by Universal Cable Productions. It will follow the lineage of rebel hero Alec Mason and the Mason family and is set during a period between Red Faction: Guerrilla and the highly anticipated Red Faction: Armageddon, which is also scheduled to premiere in March 2011. The screenplay for the film was written by Andrew Kreisberg (Warehouse 13, Fringe), based on a story developed by Paul DeMeo, THQ’s director of fiction development.

“This groundbreaking deal with THQ reflects our desire to deliver a completely immersive and enhanced viewing experience for the audience," said Mark Stern, the executive VP of programming at Syfy and co-head of Universal Cable Production. "We are excited to be working with the creative team at THQ in extending the vibrant world of Red Faction to our air.”

“THQ is blazing a new trail in the gaming industry with our partnership with Syfy by introducing the Red Faction franchise to a new and broader audience,” said Danny Bilson, executive VP of core games at THQ. “This unique transmedia collaboration is one of many strategic initiatives in place to dramatically increase awareness for Red Faction Armageddon and extend the Red Faction brand across a wide variety of entertainment channels.”