Director Neill Blomkamp is best known for his gritty, allegorical sci-fi films. There’s the alien apartheid District 9 (2009), working class and immigrant team-up Elysium (2013), and a look into the cyclical nature of crime in Chappie (2015). His movies create worlds that feel real, lived in, and now he’s turning his talents to the upcoming video game Off the Grid.

Rolling Stone recently spoke with the acclaimed director about his decision to step into game development and how his specific vision for politically minded science fiction is adapting to the...