Vince Gilligan, the creator of Breaking Bad, joined the Inside the Gilliverse podcast to discuss the long, ambitious dream of turning the show into interactive experiences. He reflected on the idea of a big-budget action game modeled after Grand Theft Auto, a concept that would place the world of Breaking Bad into a sprawling open world with high-octane missions and a gritty, cinematic feel. The conversation touched on the challenges of licensing, brand alignment, and the practicalities of translating a television narrative into an interactive format that could stand alongside blockbuster games.
Gilligan admitted a personal ambivalence toward video games, yet he acknowledged the cultural footprint of Grand Theft Auto and the allure of bringing a Breaking Bad storyline into a playable format. He recalled discussions with colleagues who were involved in approving Breaking Bad’s broader ventures and noted that ownership and licensing questions complicate such transmedia projects. Although the concept never moved past planning, the idea remains compelling to him, suggesting that the show’s universe still invites experimentation across new media. He pointed to past attempts that did reach audiences, including a virtual reality experience for a major headset and a mobile game that required a long development cycle before release. — Gilligan
In the same conversation, the topic of Grand Theft Auto and its industry influence came up. The leadership at Take-Two Interactive has publicly indicated that the upcoming sixth installment would redefine not just the video game landscape but the broader entertainment industry. Rumors from insiders suggest that one of the central characters could be a Latin American woman, with a potential release window that would place the game within a two-year horizon. The implications of such a release are significant, signaling cross-media ambitions and a heightened level of production value that could shape game design, storytelling, and audience expectations for years to come. The conversation underscores how a hit game like Grand Theft Auto can act as a benchmark for cross-platform storytelling, inspiring other properties to explore licensing, adaptation, and hybrid formats that blur the lines between cinema, television, and interactive media. — VG Times