Movies and television series based on video games are more popular than ever, with several major productions on the horizon. Among them is Amazon’s highly anticipated live-action take on God of War, which has already been renewed for a second season ahead of its premiere. But one detail has raised eyebrows—executive producer and showrunner Ronald D. Moore hasn’t played any of the games in the beloved franchise.
God of War Takes Moore into Unfamiliar Terrain
Moore, a seasoned writer known for his work on Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek: The Next Generation, took the reins of the God of War adaptation after Rafe Judkins, Mark Fergus, and Hawk Ostby exited the project in 2024 due to creative differences. Speaking on The Sackhoff Show, Moore—who stepped in within a week of the previous team’s departure—shared new details about the production, including Amazon’s confidence in the series.
However, when asked about his personal connection to the franchise, Moore admitted that he has never played any of the God of War titles. While he attempted to familiarize himself with them, he ultimately gave up, citing his lack of affinity for modern video games.
“I’m not a gamer, you know? I took a stab at it, but I grew up in the arcade era,” he stated.
Moore went on to explain that his gaming experience is mostly limited to early titles like Centipede and Asteroids. After that, he lost touch with the industry and never got used to its more complex mechanics.
“The controllers now… Press R1. Which one is R1? Oh, I’m dead! I can’t quite get a hold of that,” he said laughing.
Will the Show Stay True to its Roots?
The past few years have seen a surge in video game-based films and shows, with many enjoying critical and commercial success. This new wave of productions has benefited from directors and writers who grew up playing games and understand their nuances. However, not all projects have been as fortunate.
A recent example is the live-action Halo series, which faced backlash when it was revealed that the production team had minimal familiarity with the franchise. Reports indicated that the showrunners briefly visited the creators at 343 Industries, received a broad overview of the series, and then moved forward with their own creative vision. The result was divisive, with many fans feeling that the show failed to capture the essence of Halo. Despite a substantial investment from Paramount, the series was ultimately canceled after two seasons.
With God of War, Amazon has placed a significant bet on a franchise known for its deep storytelling, rich mythology, and visceral combat. Given Moore’s admitted struggles with the gameplay and lack of direct experience with the source material, some fans may be wondering whether the series will stay true to what makes God of War unique—or if it will follow Halo‘s footsteps as another project that misses the mark.