This is my first blog, and I'm trying to embed a video, so it may well be my second blog as well if I can't figure out how to get it to work.
The above video is a trailer for a new documentary Second Skin by Pure West Films. A film company previously filming not-for-profit and industrial films, and now turning their sights to a feature length documentary. It premieres as part of the South by Southwest Film Festival this year around March for those of you who live over that way.
I'm sure it will hit close to home for a few of you. Or at least close to a home you once knew. The film is essentially a year in the life of 7 MMORPGers and the way that the game impacts on their lives outside as well as inside the virtual world, it focuses on the communities, identities and economies that are built, but also the negative aspects of these games. It appears to focus mostly on WoW, and why not?? Blizzard has recently claimed to have over 10 million active accounts. But the film also touches on other MMO's including 2 people who have fallen in love on Everquest 2, and are about to meet for the first time.
Highlights of the trailer for me are the cuts between the players and their avatars, and how they somehow seem to make them both look similar, I guess it's kind of like people and their pets. I admire the hardcore determination of the guy who falls asleep at his computer, then wakes up and keeps on playing and the guy who says 'Forget dinner, lets just do this, this is fun'. And finally the couple who fall in love. 'It was just a little in game flirtation.' Am I the only one who doubts the integrity of any man who has 'just a little in game flirtation' with female avatars?? He wanted to bone you lady!
Personally I've never played WoW, but not due to the fact that I don't understand the appeal, more because I understand the appeal all too well. I started playing MUD's actively in the early 90's. These are basically text based MMO's to everyone who is too young to remember them. Back from when the internet couldn't stream things all too well, and most people were on a dial up connection.
From there I moved onto Asheron's Call shortly after it was released in 1999, which was one of the early MMORPG's along with Everquest. I played on the PVP server Darktide, and was totally addicted for about a year, managing to maintain a reasonably high level mage. Somehow I also managed to hold my university degree together, but my relationship with my then girlfriend fell apart, I can't attribute it all to AC, but I don't think it helped the situation. I left AC when grinding, XP-chains and hacks had ruined the fun for me. Luckily, this set me up to resist the urges of jumping into WoW when it happened, and although I once installed EVE thats as close as I've got to actually playing one since.
Enough about my history, I'm looking forward to Second Skin. Documentary's are one of my favorite genres, and when I can combine that with gaming, everythings coming up win. I'm not necessarily expecting this to top King of Kong: Fist Full of Quarters, but I do expect to be entertained none the less.
People need to stop blaming games, especially MMOs, for ruining lives. I'm 26 years-old, and I've played games for over two decades, including two MMOs (WoW and LOTRO).
I also have a beautiful wife, two great kids, a good job, I'm in the middle of getting my M.B.A, and I'm in the process of trying to get my first business off of the ground.
If you can't grow your ability of self-control then anything in life could potentially ruin it. It's not the fault of the game but of the person.
Thats very true DG, but then again, I have a friend who has such an addictive personality he can't watch the first episode of a TV series without wanting to see the thing through to the end, regardless of quality. He smokes, he's been addicted to WoW, basically anything that stimulates the reward centre of his brain will do it for him.
There is, and will always be, a section of MMO gamers who play to the detriment of the rest of the things in their life. MMO developers have psychologists on staff to make sure the rewards come often enough to keep you hooked, and for some people that hook is deep.
This does not necessarily apply to all people, and many people can play the game without going to this level. I suppose it's like alcohol or drugs, some people know where to draw the line, others go over the top.
It's also probably worth pointing out, the documentary is going to be showing the good side of gaming too if you read the interview. I guess shock value is better for a trailer though. Im also interested in the interview they're going to do with one of the gold farming services based out of China.
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about me
I'm 29 and I live in New Zealand (we get games real late). Ive been playing games for over 20 years.
Currently playing:
360 - Probably more Rock Band, L4D
PC - Nothing recently, couldnt get an old copy of theme hospital to install. So I just trawl the c-blogs like a loser.
Wii - Madworld
VC - Majora's Mask
NDS - Chrono Trigger, Henry Hatsworth
PSP - What a piece of junk
Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press living the dream since March 16, 2006
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Going to have to check the film out. Thanks!
That looks pretty interesting actually, great post, i'll be sure to check it out
People need to stop blaming games, especially MMOs, for ruining lives. I'm 26 years-old, and I've played games for over two decades, including two MMOs (WoW and LOTRO).
I also have a beautiful wife, two great kids, a good job, I'm in the middle of getting my M.B.A, and I'm in the process of trying to get my first business off of the ground.
If you can't grow your ability of self-control then anything in life could potentially ruin it. It's not the fault of the game but of the person.
Thats very true DG, but then again, I have a friend who has such an addictive personality he can't watch the first episode of a TV series without wanting to see the thing through to the end, regardless of quality. He smokes, he's been addicted to WoW, basically anything that stimulates the reward centre of his brain will do it for him.
There is, and will always be, a section of MMO gamers who play to the detriment of the rest of the things in their life. MMO developers have psychologists on staff to make sure the rewards come often enough to keep you hooked, and for some people that hook is deep.
This does not necessarily apply to all people, and many people can play the game without going to this level. I suppose it's like alcohol or drugs, some people know where to draw the line, others go over the top.
It's also probably worth pointing out, the documentary is going to be showing the good side of gaming too if you read the interview. I guess shock value is better for a trailer though. Im also interested in the interview they're going to do with one of the gold farming services based out of China.