Godzilla and Gaming: Is it Time for a New Major Title Featuring the Creature?

"Godzilla Extended Look" (CC BY 2.0) by BagoGames

One of the key parts of releasing films these days is raising awareness of them through marketing and tie-in promotions. Such activity can come in many forms and is used on a host of blockbusters, with Godzilla: King of the Monsters of course getting the treatment earlier this year.

However, one particularly notable aspect of the campaign around the film was how there was a significant element linked to the world of gaming.

Going mobile

Prior to the launch of King of the Monsters, there was the release of Godzilla Defense Force. The free-to-play mobile game created by Nexon and Neopl Studio 42 for both iOS and Android gives gamers a chance to defend the world from a range of creatures by developing a deck of different monster cards.

In addition, there was also the launch of a crossover event to promote the film in association with PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds – or PUBG – Mobile. As Pocket-Lint.com outlines, the event was trailed with an announcement that players of the popular battle royale title had to look out for clues related to Godzilla’s arrival.

Such moves highlight how there remains a strong link between Godzilla and the gaming world and, with the much-loved monster enjoying a new lease of life at the box office in recent years, could it ultimately be time for a new blockbuster title to be launched to celebrate the pop culture icon?

A long history

Godzilla may have a long history in the world of cinema, but the creature has been involved in video gaming for some time too. The first game featuring the character was released for the Commodore 64 back in the early 1980s and a host of titles have been launched since, with one of the more recent notable efforts being released in 2015 for PlayStation 4.

As well as featuring in mobile and video gaming, the monster has even popped up in online casino gaming too. The industry is in rude health at the moment and seems to be going from strength to strength, with this year seeing the launch of several new casinos online. Godzilla can be found on a host of the sites thanks to the Godzilla on Monster Island slot, which was created by IGT in 2011.

But just what could a new Godzilla video game ultimately look like? Well, if it was up to gamers, it may be something not too dissimilar from Capcom’s Monster Hunter: World. There were recent calls for Godzilla to be added to that title and, while the jury is out on whether that may ultimately happen, it is clear that some gaming fans would be interested in a Godzilla title which boasts that feel.

The definitive experience

It is undeniable that Godzilla is a monster that continues to intrigue on the big screen. However, the creature undoubtedly has a big foot in the gaming world too.

Recent developments have highlighted how the kaiju remains hugely popular with gamers and hopefully, there will soon be movement on renewed efforts to create the definitive Godzilla gaming experience.