The survival-horror video game Tormented Souls is moving toward screens: production companies ZQ Entertainment, Prime Universe Films and Longevity Pictures have secured exclusive film and TV rights, a deal that signals fresh momentum for game-to-screen horror this year. For fans and industry watchers, the agreement could turn the series’ cult following into a mainstream franchise — and it highlights growing studio interest in indie game adaptations.
The companies say ZQ will fund development and will share production costs, while Prime Universe and Longevity join as co-producers. Key creative and executive producers have been named, and the developer will remain involved in the adaptation process.
Who’s on the project
A concise list of the main players helps clarify the setup and who will steer the adaptation:
- IP and developer: Dual Effect — creator of the Tormented Souls games.
- Publishers and prior platform rollout: The series launched on Steam and later appeared on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch via publisher PQube Games.
- Production partners: ZQ Entertainment (financing development and co-financing production), Prime Universe Films and Longevity Pictures.
- Producers: Adrian Askarieh (Prime Universe), Ara Keshishian and Petr Jakl (ZQ), Majd Nassif (Longevity).
- Executive producers: Gabriel Araneda Quijada and Germán Araneda Quijada (Dual Effect) and Josh Wexler (Pure Imagination Studios).
- Legal counsel: Publisher PQube was involved on the games side; producers and companies worked with law firms including Lichter Grossman and attorneys Patrick Josten and Martin Bareb.
Tormented Souls centers on Caroline Walker’s investigation into two missing twin girls inside the decrepit corridors of the fictional Wildberger Hospital. The games combine psychological dread, gruesome experiments and supernatural elements; a sequel has already expanded the franchise’s audience.
What this means for fans and the market
The deal is notable for several reasons. First, it keeps the original developers engaged as executive producers, which can help preserve the source material’s tone and loyal fanbase. Second, the participation of multiple financiers and established producers increases the likelihood of a higher production value than many small-scale adaptations receive.
More broadly, the move dovetails with a larger entertainment trend: studios are increasingly mining indie games for distinct narratives and built-in communities. That matters because adaptations that respect their roots tend to draw both longtime players and general-horror audiences, a combination that can translate into stronger theatrical or streaming performance.
At the same time, success is not guaranteed. Translating interactive tension and atmosphere into linear film or TV storytelling requires careful creative choices — pacing, point of view and how much of the game’s mystery to reveal. The teams involved have promised to preserve what fans appreciate while reshaping the material for cinema.
Next steps and timeline
Production is currently in the development stage; specific release dates, casting and distribution plans have not been announced. Industry sources say the project will proceed through script development and financing before principal photography is set, a standard timeline that can take many months.
For readers tracking adaptations: this is a property to watch if you follow horror, video game culture, or the evolving relationship between indie game creators and film studios. The collaboration between developer-led producers and external financiers could become a model for future projects.
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Hello, I’m Declan. I share my film reviews and discoveries with you to enrich your moviegoing experience.