Pandora Unleashed: The Epic Connection Between Avatar: Frontiers and the Blockbuster Movies!
Ubisoft's Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora expands James Cameron's epic storyline, immersing players in a breathtaking world filled with adventure, bringing a captivating and canonical addition to the Avatar universe
James Cameron's Avatar needs no introduction. It has solidified its place as one of the most successful films in history, surpassing the iconic Titanic to claim the title of the third highest-grossing movie ever. The film's immense success has spawned numerous spin-offs, including an Avatar comic, a video game, and even a theme park.
The sequel to the original Avatar, titled Avatar: The Way of the Water, was also highly successful, grossing an astonishing $2 billion at the box office. More entries in the franchise are already in the works, with plans to release them in the coming years and shorter intervals between films compared to the 13-year gap between the first two movies. James Cameron aims to create an Avatar cinematic universe akin to the likes of the MCU and the DCEU, making up for a decade of minimal releases.
Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora: Exploring the Expanding Avatar Franchise and its Connection to the Films
What Is Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora About?
Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora, developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft, is scheduled to be released later this year for PC and next-gen consoles. Lightstorm Entertainment, James Cameron's studio, is closely involved in the game's development, making it an official part of the Avatar movie universe. Although the exact time period of the game remains unknown, it will follow a storyline similar to the first Avatar movie released in 2009. Nevertheless, players can expect a fresh and exciting experience.
In contrast to the original Avatar movie's concept of human consciousness inside a Na'avi body, Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora takes a different approach. The game follows the story of a genuine Na'avi protagonist who was captured and raised by humanity's Resource Development Administration (RDA) when they were just a child. The RDA's goal is to invade Pandora and exploit its resources, so they train these young Na'avi individuals to fight against their own kind. These young Na'avi soldiers are placed in hibernation for 15 years due to their unique circumstances.
When players awaken in an abandoned facility, they step into the shoes of one of these Na'avi soldiers. As the protagonist, players will venture into the unexplored western frontier of Pandora, a region not previously showcased in the movies. The main objective is to reconnect with their Na'avi heritage and reclaim Pandora by driving out the human presence. Frontiers Of Pandora effectively adopts Ubisoft's Far Cry approach, blending science fiction and fantasy elements in its gameplay.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora's Relation To The Movies
Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora has been officially confirmed as part of the Avatar movie canon by its director, James Cameron himself. According to Cameron, the game will exist alongside the films and explore an untouched area of Pandora. However, this does not mean that the game will exclude references or characters from the mainline Avatar movies.
Frontiers of Pandora is set during the 15-year gap between the first Avatar movie and the recent Avatar: Way Of Water. The game will also feature nods to General Ardmore, one of the prominent antagonists in the Avatar movies. However, it will have its own unique storyline. Cameron emphasized that their intention was to tell distinct stories within the same universe, rather than intertwining them. These stories will stand on their own, and audiences do not need familiarity with one to appreciate the other.
Is Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Related To James Cameron's Avatar: The Game?
The objective of this approach is to set apart the game from other franchises. In the future, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora will not engage in a crossover with the Avatar movies. However, it is possible that both the games and movies will incorporate references and include familiar characters.
Apart from Frontiers Of Pandora, Ubisoft has introduced another Avatar game titled James Cameron's Avatar: The Game. Published by Ubisoft in 2009, this game tends to be overlooked. James Cameron, who was closely involved in the development of Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora, also played a significant role in creating James Cameron's Avatar: The Game.
The game was released shortly after the movie, but it had a different storyline that took place years before the events. Interestingly, the game included plot elements that contradicted the film. It is a standalone entry unrelated to any of the Avatar movies or the upcoming Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora. The game's launch received mixed reviews due to its disappointing gameplay mechanics.
The upcoming release of Avatar: The Frontiers of Pandora will be Ubisoft and James Cameron's second attempt at creating an Avatar game that meets the standards and quality of the movies. This time, they will have a clearer direction and have learned from the mistakes of the first game. Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora shows promise and gives hope that it will meet expectations. Hopefully, the new game will resonate with fans of the Avatar franchise, giving them another chance to immerse themselves in the world of Pandora. Meanwhile, they eagerly await the release of Avatar 3, scheduled for late 2025.
Avatar: The Frontiers of Pandora is scheduled to release for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 on December 7, 2023.
