Yeah, cinematic sets are pretty ephemeral, and we're just suckers for their art when we imagine that they're actually substantial and quasi-real. They're not made to last much longer than it takes to shoot, then it's on to knocking together the next one.

I get the feeling that the industry anticipated the idea of releasing a "work" in multiple formats a while ago, and they've really run with it. Seems SOP any more that sci-fi or action/adventure movies have a video game tie-in along with all the material bling. I think sometimes it turns out the game is more successful; I think that's what happened with Star Wars:Rebels. But of course they'll do it because of the economic efficiency, for the reasons you cite: Same model serves the green screen film as serves the game.

Then there's "Defiance". Weird, but I was really getting into the TV show, when I read about how it's both a TV show and a video game, digitized actors appearing in the games, and it spoiled it a little for me. Like it was crass or calculating to plan for the tie-ins and the merchandising ahead of time. I'm naive, I know, but isn't science fiction sacred? (he whined plaintively). I'll still watch the next season when it shows up "free" on Netflix, but I changed my mind about paying to get it quicker. Sic transit Irisa.