Primitives gets format rights to gaming-inspired ZDF series Terrain: Battle of the Flags

Terrain: Battle of the Flags aims to recreate the experience of competitive gaming in the real world

Belgian formats distributor Primitives has acquired the worldwide format rights, excluding German-speaking Europe, to forthcoming adventure-reality competition series Terrain: Battle of the Flags.

Produced by Belgium’s Roses Are Blue for German pubcaster ZDF, the 10×25′ show will roll out in Germany this autumn.

The first three episodes will premiere simultaneously on ZDF’s streaming platform, while viewers can also watch episode one on YouTube on launch day, followed by episode two the next day and episode three the day after. The series will also have a linear premiere on ZDFneo.

Created by German comedian, actor, writer and YouTube creator Torge Oelrich – better known as Freshtorge – Terrain: Battle of the Flags reimagines the experience of competitive gaming in the real world. It is being developed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Freshtorge’s YouTube channel.

The action centres on 10 high-profile content creators divided into two teams of five, which compete over several days in a purpose-built game environment set against the dramatic backdrop of the Scottish Highlands. Their mission is to capture the opposing teams’ flags while defending their own.

In contrast to a traditional competition format, the contestants self-shoot their experience while also wearing specially developed third-person camera systems integrated into bespoke vests. The aim is to create a distinctive aesthetic identity and immersive viewing perspective, inspired by the look and feel of video games.

As well as the main series, dedicated companion content will be produced for a standalone YouTube channel, while additional ‘reaction programming’ will be available via ZDF’s Twitch channel.

Primitives will present the format to international buyers in the run-up to this year’s Mipcom.

Thorsten Haas, head of development entertainment at ZDF, said: “Terrain: Battle of the Flags brings together several elements we are keen to explore at ZDF: creator-driven storytelling, innovative production techniques and a genuine multiplatform approach. Having the creators film much of the action themselves creates a level of authenticity and immediacy that is particularly exciting for younger audiences.”