Queue it up: "Indie Game: The Movie" (2012)
Small budget, big heart
Blog exclusive!
In this new monthly series I will be highlighting movies and TV shows of note that you can instantly stream on Netflix.
Hey button mashers! Glad I got your attention -- after all "Call of Duty: Black Ops II" has probably been your #1 priority this month. However, I think you'll like what I'm about to tell you. But, if not please don't teabag me...
Netflix, the online video streaming service, recently recommended some documentaries to me. "Indie Game: The Movie" was high up on the recommendations list so I gave it a shot. I'm glad I stumbled upon "Indie Game" because it's a gem and I highly recommended it to anyone interested in independent media creation. The plot concerns the development of three highly anticipated independent video games: "Fez", "Super Meat Boy" and "Braid."
Released earlier this year the content within the film was shot circa 2010. Filmmakers Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky interviewed the creators of these three games during the latter stages of their development. Now perhaps you don't know, but an independent video game is made without a ton of raised capital and resources. It isn't made under the guise or watchful eye of any major gaming studios. The games featured in this movie aren't tailored to appeal to every single gamer on the planet. For one they feature a ton of throwback features (side-scrolling, retro tunes) not seen in bigger titles. Perhaps the biggest difference though is in the gameplay; these independent games are ultra hard to finish.
The most prominent game to appear in "Indie Game: The Movie" is "Super Meat Boy" created by Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes; better known as Team Meat in the gaming community. The biggest challenge McMillen and Refenes face is a lack of time. Team Meat agreed to have their game ready for Game Feast, an Xbox Live Arcade promotion that's only a month away. With money running dry accepting Microsoft's cash infusion was a necessary evil (even if it gives them insomnia.)
Other games profiled in "Indie Game: The Movie" include Jonathan Blow's "Braid" and Phil Fish's "Fez". Though "Braid" was released four years before "Indie Game" debuted and two years before it was even shot, the filmmakers felt compelled to talk about it since it's one of the most acclaimed video games of all time. Blow talks about the conception of his idea and how a trip to Thailand inspired him. From simple 8 bit style artwork (for the uninitiated think of the original Nintendo games) to an innovative time reversing mechanic that allows you to go farther in the game by avoiding obstacles "Braid" laid the groundwork for games like "Fez" to build upon.
By and large the most memorable character in the film is Phil Fish the creator of "Fez." From my point of view I see Fish as equal parts genius and asshole. He literally controls his emotions about as well as a jilted high school lover, but he has an unwavering work effort when it comes to polishing up his game. As a result of this OCD approach to game design "Fez" has gone under the knife around 4 times and is still not complete. Running on fumes Fish also has to deal with a potential lawsuit from a former "Fez" game designer that may derail his attempts to release the game. Ambitious in its ability to blend 3D level design with pixel art, "Fez" will either be one of the greatest indie games ever or an insignificant Xbox Live Arcade entry that nobody will remember come next year.
Profiling the extreme highs and lows of game making "Indie Game: The Movie" could very well be my favorite film of the year. Be sure to check it out before it gets removed from Netflix, because this is an engrossing real life drama you mustn't miss.
"Indie Game: The Movie" was edited and directed by Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky.
As always thanks for reading!
Blog exclusive!
In this new monthly series I will be highlighting movies and TV shows of note that you can instantly stream on Netflix.
Hey button mashers! Glad I got your attention -- after all "Call of Duty: Black Ops II" has probably been your #1 priority this month. However, I think you'll like what I'm about to tell you. But, if not please don't teabag me...
Netflix, the online video streaming service, recently recommended some documentaries to me. "Indie Game: The Movie" was high up on the recommendations list so I gave it a shot. I'm glad I stumbled upon "Indie Game" because it's a gem and I highly recommended it to anyone interested in independent media creation. The plot concerns the development of three highly anticipated independent video games: "Fez", "Super Meat Boy" and "Braid."
Released earlier this year the content within the film was shot circa 2010. Filmmakers Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky interviewed the creators of these three games during the latter stages of their development. Now perhaps you don't know, but an independent video game is made without a ton of raised capital and resources. It isn't made under the guise or watchful eye of any major gaming studios. The games featured in this movie aren't tailored to appeal to every single gamer on the planet. For one they feature a ton of throwback features (side-scrolling, retro tunes) not seen in bigger titles. Perhaps the biggest difference though is in the gameplay; these independent games are ultra hard to finish.
The most prominent game to appear in "Indie Game: The Movie" is "Super Meat Boy" created by Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes; better known as Team Meat in the gaming community. The biggest challenge McMillen and Refenes face is a lack of time. Team Meat agreed to have their game ready for Game Feast, an Xbox Live Arcade promotion that's only a month away. With money running dry accepting Microsoft's cash infusion was a necessary evil (even if it gives them insomnia.)
Other games profiled in "Indie Game: The Movie" include Jonathan Blow's "Braid" and Phil Fish's "Fez". Though "Braid" was released four years before "Indie Game" debuted and two years before it was even shot, the filmmakers felt compelled to talk about it since it's one of the most acclaimed video games of all time. Blow talks about the conception of his idea and how a trip to Thailand inspired him. From simple 8 bit style artwork (for the uninitiated think of the original Nintendo games) to an innovative time reversing mechanic that allows you to go farther in the game by avoiding obstacles "Braid" laid the groundwork for games like "Fez" to build upon.
By and large the most memorable character in the film is Phil Fish the creator of "Fez." From my point of view I see Fish as equal parts genius and asshole. He literally controls his emotions about as well as a jilted high school lover, but he has an unwavering work effort when it comes to polishing up his game. As a result of this OCD approach to game design "Fez" has gone under the knife around 4 times and is still not complete. Running on fumes Fish also has to deal with a potential lawsuit from a former "Fez" game designer that may derail his attempts to release the game. Ambitious in its ability to blend 3D level design with pixel art, "Fez" will either be one of the greatest indie games ever or an insignificant Xbox Live Arcade entry that nobody will remember come next year.
Profiling the extreme highs and lows of game making "Indie Game: The Movie" could very well be my favorite film of the year. Be sure to check it out before it gets removed from Netflix, because this is an engrossing real life drama you mustn't miss.
"Indie Game: The Movie" was edited and directed by Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky.
Feel free to checkout the trailer for "Indie Game: The Movie" below:
As always thanks for reading!
© 2012 Matthew R. Reis, All rights reserved.
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