Moviegoers are about to be treated to a real blast from the past as the “Oregon Trail” computer game from the ’70s comes to life on the big screen.
The iconic computer game was one of the most successful games of all time and was a true staple for kids growing up in the ’80s and ’90s. Fans of the game will soon be able to see a movie based on the game they fell in love with as children. Details surrounding the production of the film and a possible release date have not been publicly shared at this time. There isn’t any casting information available yet, but the very idea of this movie is enough to give me all the feels of the game coming back to life.
Over a half-century after the first “Oregon Trail” program was released, Apple is reportedly turning the game into an action-comedy film. I’m all-in and am excited to see how they portray the images, and who steps into the various roles as this develops into a film. It’s refreshing to think we can soon see a fresh, new film based on a beloved game that so many people can relate to.
“Oregon Trail” was developed as a game when computers were first introduced and was based on the adventures of the 1800s settlers going west on the Oregon Trail. The game was known for catching players completely off guard by the many unexpected ways their player could die, making way for some strong potential for creative movie scenes that will soon be in the works.
Movies have been pretty dry lately, with too much focus being put on franchise films that lack creativity. The idea of taking this retro game and putting it on a screen sounds like a creative masterpiece is about to be made.
The game was created in 1971 and tens of millions of copies have been bought by fans. It is currently featured in the World Video Game Hall of Fame.
Interestingly, one of the co-creators of the game, Bill Heinemann, told CBS News he isn’t making a penny off the movie and he hasn’t earned any money at all from the game either. He and his two co-creators provided their creation to the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium soon after they invented it, but he says he has no regrets.
“I didn’t do it for money. I did it for just the love of the game and the love of teaching,” he said.
“It’s surprising and gratifying and humbling, in a way, that a little thing that I spent two weeks on has become a worldwide phenomenon,” he said.
When asked how he felt about the game being used as the basis of a film, Heinemann replied, “Surprising to me how popular it’s become and how long the interest in it has been around. And this is just the next step I guess.” (RELATED: Gamers Outraged After Beloved Franchise Forces Them Into Struggle Session On ‘Misgendering’)
Those hoping to get a good old-fashioned dose of nostalgia by watching the game turn into a full-blown movie will have to wait for more details to become available.
