Saber Interactive boss Tim Willits has revealed that the studio’s upcoming John Wick video game will follow Keanu Reeves’ assassin before the events of the film franchise.
The upcoming video game based on the John Wick franchise will take place before the events of the first movie.
The untitled project was first revealed earlier this year during a PlayStation State of Play showcase, offering fans a cinematic teaser but little information about the gameplay.
Now, Saber Interactive’s Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits has confirmed that the game will serve as a prequel exploring the early career of the assassin, who is once again played by Keanu Reeves.
Willits told IGN: “It’s before movie one. And you can kind of infer that because [in the reveal trailer] he’s getting measured for his suit, and he looks a little bit younger.”
The prequel setting means players will experience a less polished version of the legendary hitman before he becomes the feared ‘Baba Yaga’.
According to Willits, this will influence the tone of combat, which is expected to feel more instinctive and slightly rougher than the slick gun-fu choreography seen in the films.
The developer believes the structure of the movies lends itself naturally to video games.
He said: “The great thing about the Wick series is when you watch the movies, they’re kind of like video games.
“You have a group of enemies, then you have some tough guys, and you have a boss fight, and then you have a group of enemies, tough guys, and a boss fight. So it’s really exciting to bring that action to a video game. It’s going to be like watching a movie.”
While specific gameplay details remain under wraps, the description suggests a level-based action format reminiscent of titles like Max Payne, known for its cinematic gunplay and fast-paced encounters.
The project is being positioned as Saber Interactive’s biggest reveal yet, though the studio has not announced a release date or platforms.
John Wick video game will be set before the movies
