PlayStation Director Launches Petition for Until Dawn Writers

The adaptation of the horror video game Until Dawn into a film has sparked a significant discussion about crediting the original creators. Former PlayStation narrative director Kim MacAskill has initiated a petition to ensure that key team members from the game receive recognition in the movie's credits. Following its release on April 25, the film acknowledged its inspiration but failed to name individual developers, leading to criticism of the process. While current writers Larry Fessenden and Graham Reznick acknowledge the lack of acknowledgement, they are not actively seeking credit, although they believe it would have been courteous. This situation raises broader concerns about how creative credits are managed across different media, particularly as adaptations from video games to film become more prevalent.

The controversy arises because key developers from the original Until Dawn game were not individually credited in the film adaptation, despite their significant contributions. The lack of specific acknowledgments has led to calls from former team members for better recognition of creators in film adaptations of video games, highlighting an ongoing issue in creative crediting practices.

Until Dawn, developed by Supermassive Games, was released for PlayStation 4 in 2015 and quickly became known for its engaging narrative and choice-driven gameplay. The game allows players to control multiple characters through a horror-infused storyline, leading to various outcomes based on their decisions. It was well-received for its innovative mechanics and atmosphere, paving the way for interest in adaptations to other media like film and television. The recent PS5 remake has reignited discussions about the game and hints at potential sequels, keeping the franchise's legacy alive.