Indie hit Dredge getting live-action adaptation
April 11, 2024

Dredge, a fishing game developed by independent studio Black Salt Games, is one of the latest video games to be slated for release in movie theatres. Can this indie darling make a splash on the big screen? Production company Studio Kitchen certainly hopes so, as the trend of adapting video games into live-action motion pictures shows no sign of abating.
Coming straight out of New Zealand, Dredge was perhaps one of the biggest surprises of 2023. In a gaming year chock-full of big-budget blockbusters, from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to Super Mario Bros Wonder, this smaller-sized game developed by an obscure Kiwi studio could have easily flown under the radar of the gaming community.
Dredge places players in the role of a captain navigating a fishing trawler through remote islands. This local angler routinely casts his nets to retrieve ancient collectibles and relics to sell for a pretty penny. From ghost ships to bizarre sea creatures, he starts noticing strange phenomena at night, leaving him with the uncanny feeling that someone is watching his every move. While Dredge looks like your run-of-the-mill casual fishing simulation at first sight, this imaginative title with clever Lovecraftian undertones quickly takes a horrific turn – one that has caught the attention of the movie industry.
To get Dredge the film treatment, Black Salt Games is joining forces with Story Kitchen, a media company specialising in franchise architecture and universe building. Company members, such as trailblazer Dmitri M. Johnson and veteran producer Mike Goldberg, show an impressive track record in game-to-film deals. The former has been at the forefront of groundbreaking successes like the Sonic the Hedgehog cinematic adaptations. Story Kitchen is also one of the driving forces behind Netflix’s Tomb Raider animated series.
Pitched as ‘The Sixth Sense on water’, this upcoming adaptation aims to conjure the atmospheric cosmic horror that characterises the original game. Sometimes described as a blend of Ernest Hemingway and HP Lovecraft, Dredge takes a radical deviation from the expected tropes of a cosy adventure to delve into full-on survival horror. Precisely because it dares tread on sinister waters, this subversive fishing journey made a lasting impression on gamers and critics, with outlets like The Guardian and Polygon naming it one of the best games of 2023.
Dredge is far from the only Lovecraftian narrative ever told on the gaming medium. The works penned by the American master of horror fiction have inspired many a virtual rendition, such as the role-playing survival title Call of Cthulhu or the open-world investigation game The Sinking City. In the iGaming sector, software developers like KA Gaming have drawn from the Cthulhu Mythos to roll out machine slots like Cthulhu Secret. Thousands more free slots await online. The biggest database of slot machines is one click away, boasting both demo slots from prominent studios and inventive slots from niche gaming providers. Users can browse in-depth reviews and recommendations to make their pick. Besides, top platforms offer heaps of exclusive bonuses and promotions.
While Dredge is one of many games with a Lovecraftian vibe, the popular response to this unassuming indie title was overwhelmingly positive. Far exceeding Black Salt’s initial expectations of selling 100,000 copies in a year, this unanticipated hit sold over 1 million units in six months. There is no wonder, thus, that Hollywood has been eyeing this “profoundly rich story,” whose eerie ambiance has captured the interest of Story Kitchen’s experienced team.
Given this roaring success, producers are confident Dredge can pull droves of moviegoers to the nearest cinemas. No further details have been disclosed as to a release date, as the project is in its infancy. Hence, speculations are up as to whether Dredge could be the next live-action adaptation to crush it in cinemas and ignite the imagination of audiences craving some eldritch horrors on their movie screens.
Long lambasted as mere cash-grabby efforts, video game adaptations have experienced a recent renaissance. Released on HBO, The Last of Us adaptation starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey achieved Game of Thrones-level scores. Previously, animated series like Arcane and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners had paved the way for more visionary expansions of their source material. Incidentally, 2024 has no shortage of game-to-movie/TV adaptations, some of which are being steered by Story Kitchen.
In any event, Dredge will remain a fan-favourite among gaming crowds and possibly snatch many more accolades after winning the award for Best Indie Game at the IGN Awards 2023.