Of the five games that I have installed on my phone, the enigmatic puzzler MONUMENT VALLEY from Ustwo Games in one of them. In the game, players must lead a princess through a series of optical illusions and M.C. Escher-style mazes with the goal of seeking forgiveness for the pointy-hatted patrician. Throughout her journey, the princess uses magical objects to maneuver her way past sacred geometry, all while meeting some new friends along the way. A sequel to the original game was released for both iOS and Android in late 2017 to much acclaim from mobile video game fans, myself included.
Recently, Paramount Pictures and Akiva Goldsman's Weed Road announced that they've tapped animation short director Patrick Osborne (FEAST, PEARL), who is currently helming the film adaptation of Noelle Stevenson's NIMONA for Blue Sky, to be the man behind the camera for MONUMENT VALLEY. According to Deadline, who exclusively broke the news on Wednesday, the MONUMENT VALLEY project will send contemporary live-action characters into the game’s extraordinary, mind-bending world.
Goldsman will serve as a producer with Paramount President of Production Elizabeth Raposo and Weed Road President of Production Greg Lessans overseeing the film. Currently, the hunt for a screenwriter is on-going, though it's been said that whomever is chosen for the gig will be working closely with Osborne to get the job done.
“Monument Valley is a one of a kind experience, at once small in its meditative, simple gameplay, as well as enormous in its sense of history,” Osborne said. “I’m privileged to be handed the reins to Ida’s mysterious kingdom, to play in her world of impossible architecture where seeing things differently is everything. I am thrilled to bring this unique world to theaters with the talented storytellers of Paramount and Weed Road.”
“It’s been four years since we launched the first Monument Valley and have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to take our world of beauty and impossibility into cinema. We’re incredibly happy that we’ve found the perfect creative partners in Paramount, Weed Road and Patrick Osborne to champion this concept forward into another medium,” said Dan Gray, Head of Ustwo Games.
With over 160 million downloads to its name, MONUMENT VALLEY is hailed by many to be one of the best mobile puzzlers ever released. Its whimsical locales, dream-like score, and challenging illusions make it a must-play for any fan of the puzzle video game genre. Don't let the mobile presentation deter you, this title is pure magic.