Brandon Sanderson wants his books turned into video games, and he knows the money behind it is enormous.
In an interview with IGN, Sanderson said he has spent years thinking about bringing his work to gaming. He is willing to adapt his Mistborn book series first, but only if he finds the right studio to partner with. The catch is that video games, even small ones, cost a huge amount to build today.
Sanderson’s Lifelong Gaming
Sanderson called himself a “lifelong gamer” during the interview. He admitted he has given the idea serious thought.
He framed the challenge as finding the right partner. “Video games, even the smaller indie games, are huge investments these days,” he said. For Mistborn, the magic system and world fit naturally into a game format. But he stressed the need for the right partner.
“Mistborn would almost certainly be the first thing I would try, as the mechanics of the magic and world very naturally lend themselves to such an adaptation – but again, I’d need the right partner.”
That means no quick deal. Sanderson is not chasing a fast project. He wants a studio that understands the books and the world he built.
The Other Mistborn Adaptations
Mistborn has already moved beyond novels. A film version is in development, with Sanderson finishing the screenplay. He said there is “still a lot of work to do” on the project.
There are also board games tied to the series. And a tabletop RPG based on the Cosmere universe, developed by Brotherwise Games in close collaboration with Sanderson, recently released a Mistborn expansion.
The expansion includes a Handbook, Campaign Guide, and Welcome to Scadriel guide, all available to preorder now. The initial RPG offerings focused on Roshar and the systems of the Stormlight Archive books. Now Mistborn joins that lineup.
Why Mistborn Fits Gaming
The Cosmere is a large galaxy-spanning series of mostly epic fantasy novels by Sanderson. The books follow interconnected worlds and magic systems across a vast universe.
Brotherwise Games has already laid some of the groundwork with its tabletop adaptations. That work could be built upon or adapted into a video game in the future.
The Long Road Ahead
Sanderson’s comments suggest a long-term plan, not a quick announcement. He is looking for the right partner, and he knows the stakes are high.
The tabletop RPG expansion arrives in November. The film is still in development. The game remains a question of timing and partnership.
For now, fans wait. Sanderson has made his position clear: he wants a Mistborn game, but only when the conditions are right.
Key Facts Box
- Interview: Exclusive with IGN
- First book to adapt: Mistborn
- Partner needed: Yes
- Game status: On the cards for the distant future
- Film: In development, screenplay finished
- RPG expansion: Mistborn, releasing November
- Handbook, Campaign Guide, Welcome to Scadriel: Available to preorder now
Source material: “Brandon Sanderson Is Eager to Adapt His Books into a Video Game, Calling Himself a 'Lifelong Gamer',” IGN.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.