As video games becomes bigger business in the world of media, so do the films based upon them and centering around the culture of gaming. Three new film projects are making news for gamers.

First, is the new Max Payne film. Based off the two game series, the film starts Mark Wahlberg (The Departed) and is directed by John Moore (Behind Enemy Lines). The movie is currently slated for release in 2009. Above you will see one of the first pictures of Wahlberg on the set, apparently in costume. It isn’t much to look at, and the film itself seems like even less of a big deal. Is anyone really clamoring for a Max Payne film after all these years? Click the image for a larger version.

Second, is news on the Prince of Persia film adaptation. The movie is apparently set to go before cameras this summer in the US and Morocco. Behind the camera directing will be Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire). Newell seems a fairly safe bet for the film adaptation, and definitely a step up from the original choice Michael Bay. It is still unclear how much the film version will mimic the game series and if the Sands of Time will play a role.

Third, and lastly, comes word on the Second Skin documentary from the South by Southwest film festival in Austin, Texas. The film follows three separate stories about the lives of those playing MMO games. The film has the potential to be this year’s The King of Kong, but one early review isn’t very favorable, apparently for reasons you could expect from gamers. The movie supposedly doesn’t paint a very flattering picture of those it profiles. Still, it is an interesting trend in the number of video game documentaries making the rounds.