PlayStation Gets Some 'Powers'

Image Courtesy of IMDB

Announced this past June at E3, Sony is currently in the midst of production on their first live-action series that will be released exclusively on the PlayStation's online platform, the PlayStation Network (or PSN for short). Based on the Image Comics book of the same name by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming, 'Powers' is the first original programming developed for PSN. The story revolves around two homicide police detectives as they investigate cases involving people with superhuman powers. Starring Sharlto Copley and Sheena Hayward in the title roles, Powers aims to be a more adult take on the superhero genre; think of it as the anti-comic book, more in line with Watchmen than Spider-man. The first episode, which debuts sometime in December, will be available for free to everyone (regardless if you have a PlayStation device or not) but the remainder of the series will be available only to those with a PlayStation device and a PS Plus membership.

This is a very interesting experiment for Sony. Microsoft is already dipping their hands in the world of television with the Ridley Scott produced series based on Halo called 'Nightfall', so it was only a matter of time before Sony threw their hat into the ring as well. Of course we all know that Sony is no stranger to television and film, but developing a series exclusively for PlayStation is a really cool concept, though one that is becoming more and more common. Series like 'Orange is the New Black' and 'House of Cards' that are only available on streaming services like Netfilx have proven to be a very successful business model; the only difference is that a full season's worth of episodes is available at once, and it is yet to be announced if 'Powers' will be released episodically or all at once.

When it was announced at E3 this year, I paid no mind to it (mainly because of Bendis' maddeningly long and boring speech), but as more and more information of it was revealed, my interest picked up. Hearing that Sharlto Copley was involved really piqued my interest, as his work in 'District 9' and 'Elysium' were excellent, and I know that he will bring a stellar performance to 'Powers'. Perhaps it was the fact that 'Powers' is a television series being made for a gaming system that made me think less of it, but based on the first trailer for it, 'Powers' has rocketed into my radar, and I cannot wait to see how the show pans out.

You can watch the trailer for Powers right here.