From Game, to Page, to Screen
Cult adventure story Syberia is being adapted into a new animated series — The announcement was made by game publisher Microids and production company WHAT THE PROD, who will work together to see Benoit Sokal’s tales of exploration and mystery brought to life in a whole new medium.
While details are slim at this time, the animated series is expected to be a direct adaptation of the long-running adventure series, that began in 1999 with the release of PC adventure Amerzone, itself an adaptation of Sokal’s 1986 comic-book series of the same name. In 2002, the first Syberia game was released for PC, PS2, and Xbox, following the escapades of explorer Kate Walker, as she journeys across Europe and into Russia in a tale of mystery and self-realization.
These releases were then followed by three sequels, which further depict Walker’s odyssey as she delves into unexplored terrain and forgotten civilizations. Sadly, Sokal would pass in 2021, during the development of the most recent entry Syberia: The World Before, but this animated series is hopeful of introducing a whole new generation of fans to their world and characters.
“My husband would have been honored to witness his work being developed as an animated series,” said Martine Sokal of the new project. “With Syberia, he created a magical and out-of-time world and I am glad it will reach a new audience with this new adaptation.”
The new series producers spoke of their drive to deliver a high-quality, authentic series that will please fans and newcomers, citing the critically acclaimed adaptation Arcane: A League of Legends Story as the standard that they are looking to achieve.
“20 years after the release of the first episode of Syberia, our ambition is to craft an animated series inspired by the game’s incredible universe, speaking to the fans as well as newcomers thanks to a modern writing style paying tribute to these very best dystopian and uchronic masterpieces,” said WHAT THE PROD President Ashargin Poire. “The art direction, the type and quality of animation will guarantee a mind-blowing experience halfway between reality and fantasy.”
The Syberia animated series is in pre-production. A release window was not announced.
