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In conjunction with
Game Masters, ACMI are screening Indie Game the Movie which
is about a group of passionate video game designers who are trying to
get their amazing ideas published on XBox Live. What makes Indie Game
the Movie so raw is how first-time filmmakers Lisanne Pajot and James
Swirsky capture the raw emotions of these developers from not just now
but through their entire lives which is quite a primordial experience.
By capturing their highs, lows and
in-betweens, the connection between these individuals is quite
unparalleled as their dedication literally absolves the rest of the
world around them. The developers showcased in this documentary include
designer Edmund McMillen and programmer Tommy Refenes just before the
launch of their highly successfully independent game, Super Meat Boy.
Both Refenes and McMillen have put their
lives on hold to finalise this game and although both know that they are
taking an extreme gamble by investing so much time into this game, it's
an intricate look into the creation and motivations behind this game.
They also have this amazing charisma behind
that really makes you barrack for them. Refenes, a diabetic has
literally become a reclusive with his parents investing heavily in the
game, whereas McMillen has the support of this girlfriend who also
sacrifices her life in the support. It's these real emotions that really
draw you into the film.
Then we have Phil Fish, the creator of Fez,
a walking dichotomy who is a mess of conflicting emotions. He discusses
his hatred towards his ex-development partner who not only threatens the
release of the game but the several years of work that he has invested.
To compound the situation, the fear failing has him talking about
suicide which are two raw emotions that he discloses in this
documentary.
The last individual is Jonathan Blow who
has already made it in the world of independent games with Braid, one of
the highest rated games. Unlike the other developers and designers, Blow
has already gone through the emotions of the others and is considering
creating another game but even he acknowledges the cost is quite
detrimental.
Final Thoughts?
Indie Game the Movie is a very powerful documentary about the world of
gaming and unlike development companies like EA or Activision, these
games are created by only one or two individuals who don't get paid
while they make the game and take the ultimate gamble to give the world
of gaming a true legacy. The documentary is not all about gloom and doom
as throughout the documentary, there are some real heart-felt moments
like McMillen proposing to his supportive girlfriend or Refenes giving
his parents the ultimate gift.
It's an amazing gaming documentary that
should be watched by all gamers. |
