Paramount Games Eyes Yellowstone, Lioness Adaptations

Paramount Games Studio, the entertainment conglomerate's newly launched video game division, is setting its sights on adapting Taylor Sheridan's prolific catalog of television series into interactive experiences. The studio revealed during Summer Game Fest that it would enter the gaming market, and executives have since outlined ambitious plans that extend well beyond its first announced project.

The studio's initial collaboration pairs it with PlatinumGames, the developer known for the Bayonetta franchise, to create an adaptation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin. However, this represents merely the opening move in what Paramount Games envisions as a much larger portfolio. In conversations with industry outlets, Shawn Kittelsen, who heads creative and production at Paramount Games Studio, disclosed that the company is actively pursuing games based on Yellowstone and related properties within what fans call the Sheridanverse.

Kittelsen identified Yellowstone alongside its spinoffs and companion series—including Landman and Tulsa King—as priority properties for the studio. The neo-Western drama, which centers on the Dutton family's sprawling Montana cattle ranch, has become a cultural phenomenon. The franchise expanded further with a spinoff continuing the Dutton legacy, which currently ranks among Paramount's most-watched content. The studio is also pursuing adaptations of Lioness, Sheridan's spy thriller centered on female CIA operatives undertaking dangerous undercover assignments in counterterrorism operations.

Paramount Games' approach reflects a deliberate strategy rather than indiscriminate licensing. Kittelsen emphasized that the studio functions as a steward of cultural properties rather than merely extracting value from established franchises. He warned against the temptation to greenlight projects simply to maximize revenue, arguing that such an approach would ultimately alienate audiences and undermine long-term success. Instead, the studio intends to carefully match each property with development partners whose track records demonstrate genuine creative capability.

The executive stressed that player experience drives all decision-making at Paramount Games. The studio has committed to working exclusively with developers who have previously created acclaimed titles, rejecting a scattershot approach in favor of precision targeting. Kittelsen used military metaphor to describe the philosophy, stating the goal is to deploy strategic strikes rather than blanket coverage across the gaming landscape.

Paramount's portfolio of adaptable intellectual property spans multiple genres and audiences. Beyond the Sheridan properties, the studio's core focus includes Ninja Turtles, Star Trek, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and SpongeBob SquarePants. Each represents decades of fan investment and cultural significance, which Kittelsen indicated must be respected through thoughtful game development partnerships.

While specific details about gameplay, genre, or release windows for Yellowstone or Lioness adaptations remain undisclosed, the announcement signals Paramount's commitment to competing in the gaming sector. The entertainment industry has increasingly recognized video games as a crucial revenue stream and audience engagement platform, particularly for established franchises seeking to expand their reach.