Papers, Please became one of the best indie games of 2013, one stamp at a time. The story of the anonymous border inspector, his family's needs, the relentless government he works for, and the forces seeking to overthrow him established a universe that earned the loyalty of millions of players. And now... it is coming to the cinema. That's right: Papers, Please will have a short film, and here is its trailer.
Recent reports indicate that Papers, Please has sold more than 1.8 million copies. The game currently costs ten dollars (Steam, GOG, Humble Store), and it is definitely worth every cent, but it never hurts to wait for a sale. Another positive aspect is its compatibility with Linux, iOS, macOS, and Windows. The title never made it to Android, and Sony still needs to resolve some details to guarantee its debut on the PlayStation Vita. Its fans have responded with art, fan fiction, cosplays, and more. If we think about it, Papers, Please has enough raw material to become a movie... and that is exactly what is coming.
With the official support of developer Lucas Pope, Russian filmmakers Liliya and Nikita Ordynskiy have prepared a short film starring Igor Savochkin as the inspector. The trailer doesn't tell us much about the story's direction (after all, the choices in the game can lead to twenty different endings), but we can draw other conclusions, starting with the aesthetics. The booth, the stamps, the uniforms, the old wood and metal, the atmosphere... the trailer gives us the feeling that the directors actually played Papers, Please, something that would already make a huge difference compared to other live action adaptations.
Initially, it was reported that the short film would be ready before the end of the year; however, several sources indicate that the premiere will be in 2018. On Lucas Pope's official page there are no details about the exact date, and everything there relates to his next project, Return of the Obra Dinn. It's a matter of waiting, and don't forget your papers at home. ( !)
