Summer Game Fest 2022(2022)

This is Not a Game(en)

Angela Su’s fictional artist Rosie Leavers is the last remaining person to upload her consciousness to a video game. Contemplating during a pandemic year which also saw people’s resistance movements in many parts of the world, the work pinpoints the uncanny affinities between gaming and warfare strategies. They have mutually informed the infrastructure of both worlds since time immemorial when diplomatic conflicts played out on the battlefield of the 64 squares of a chess board to flight simulation technologies which were adapted to shape gaming experiences as we know it now. When the conflict is between the state and its people, she speculates that gaming strategies empower civilians in resistance movements to counter imperialism through its own operative logic. But once we upload our consciousness, are we able to return to the sensibilities and political motivation that inspired the revolution to begin with?

Wreck Or Get Rekt(en)

No Scope: The Story of FaZe Clan(en)

A wide-ranging documentary of the popular gaming brand, and the remarkable series of ups and downs that have defined that story and its characters over the last decade-plus. For years now, the growth of esports has been one of the defining stories of entertainment . And at the center of all that growth has been FaZe Clan, an organization that’s gone from the brainchild of a few gamers streaming their play on the internet to publicly traded company with teams and players all around the globe competing professionally in an array of games. The film explores questions about the costs of their rapid growth and extraordinary success. As FaZe has come to encompass stars and performers from the traditional sports and entertainment worlds, even in the wake of the company’s public offering, the financial viability of the whole enterprise hardly appears stable. Through it all, esports are undoubtedly here to stay. But “No Scope” makes clear that the path from here is anything but assured.

Dangerous Games: Roblox and the Metaverse Exposed(en)

Follow Alex, Janae, and Katie as they investigate the hidden threats inside online worlds designed for children. After Katie is harassed by a predator on Roblox, the trio uncovers a disturbing network of extremists, predators, and illicit content. As their investigation gains traction, real-world tragedies — including a kidnapping and a mass shooting — underscore the devastating consequences of a system failing to protect its most vulnerable users. Through expert interviews and gripping verité storytelling, the film exposes the gaps in platform regulations and the dangers that continue to slip through the cracks. Blending investigative journalism with compelling visuals, Dangerous Games delivers a wake-up call on the urgent need for accountability in the evolving digital world.

Amiga: Classic Game Insights Vol 1(en)

The Classic Game Insights series presents in-depth interviews with game developers, providing detailed accounts of their work on a particular classic game and the creation process involved. Each film is independent and concentrates on either a single, specific game or a series of games, with the creator personally guiding you through their development journey. Amiga: Classic Game Insights Vol 1 offers 3 hours of content that explores a range of iconic Amiga games, this is an essential viewing experience for anyone with an interest in the Amiga computer, its games, or game design as a whole.

Games You Can't Win(en)

Games You Can’t Win explores “empathy” gaming, a new video game movement in which developers are sharing some of their most intimate or traumatic personal experiences through artful, documentary-style video games. Using a combination of intimate verité footage and video capture from the games, the short film tells the stories of three developer and the personal experiences that inspired their game.

Spelkollektivet: To Build a Castle(en)

"Spelkollektivet: To Build a Castle" is the story of the world's largest co-living space for game developers, and the people living there. Follow the founder James Newnorth as he navigates the many obstacles of turning an untried idea into reality. Meet the three indie devs Leene Künnap, Matej Jan and Michal Roch as they work on their respective games, "Death and Taxes", "Pixel Art Academy" and "Lords and Villeins". Find out if Spelkollektivet fosters the next indie dev star.

Going Postal: The Legacy Foretold(en)

Feature length documentary about the infamous video game franchise 'Postal' by Running with Scissors. Exploring the company's history and possible imprint violent video games bring to the real world.

Here Comes a New Challenger(en)

The story of the gaming phenomenon that is Street Fighter II, exploring its origins and its impact on the lives of kids and teenagers worldwide.

The Fading Nature of Physical Media(en)

In the following documentary, we explore how two collectors and a store owner feel about the current digital distribution of video games and what could happen if buying physical media is no longer an option.

Memories of NaiD: The DVD(en)

An online fan of NAID (the North American International Demoparty) spent time piecing together NAID footage over 1995-1996. With nearly 2 hours of found footage of the 1990s demoscene in North America.

A Goodbye to Blessed Realities(en)

A video essay that despite, multiple delays, finally released to document the story and cancellation of solo-dev Heavenly Den!'s game, Blessed Realities, as a way to bring closure to the game and the studio's story. The story is over.

Head Transplant and the Non-Existence of the Soul(en)

A critical analysis by Jacob Geller analyzing the depiction of head- (or consciouness-) transplants in video games such as Wolfenstein 2 or Soma in parallel with the history of the almost-father of head transplants (his experiences having been limited to monkeys), Robert Joseph White. How did we end up moving the center of human consciouness from the heart to the brain ? Where does the soul come in to play here? When is the body / Theseus' ship no longer the body / Theseus' ship for having had its limbs / its wood transplanted too much ?

Charlie Brooker's Gameswipe(en)

Charlie Brooker sets his caustic sights on video games. Expect acerbic comment as he looks at the various genres, how they have changed since their early conception and how the media represents games and gamers. Features interviews with Dara O Briain, sitcom scribe Graham Linehan and Rab and Ryan from Consolevania.

Heart of Neon(en)

Jeff Minter has remained an extraordinary independent video game developer in an industry dominated by corporations. Heart of Neon maps Jeff's unique career and the shifting landscape of the video game business, and shines a vivid light on the bond between artist & audience that has sustained Jeff for four decades.

The Game Maker: Namco Edition(ja)

This is a series of special episodes of the Japanese TV show "GameCenter CX" that focuses on Namco (now Bandai Namco Games), the company that created many popular classic games. The episodes are packed with in-depth content, including a re-challenge of "Kai no Bouken" (The Adventure of Kai), a game that the show's host, Shinya Arino, had previously failed to clear.

The Game Maker: Sega Edition(en)

From big titles to little-known phantom software... This time too, Shinya Arino (Yoiko) and Hirai (America Zarigani) will play Sega games to their hearts' content! Of course, the "GameCenter CX" staff will also appear one after another!! The series' familiar commentary by Yoiko Arino & Ameza Hirai is also getting even hotter!

The Game Maker: Jaleco Edition(en)

Jaleco, the company that developed popular games like "Ninja JaJaMaru-kun" and the "Moero! Pro Baseball" series. Even today, they continue to challenge new endeavors, such as soliciting game character names and designs from the general public, and remain a game maker with many fans. This feature thoroughly explores Jaleco, including development secrets of their nostalgic hit software and a game catalog!

The Game Maker: Sunsoft Edition(ja)

The Sunsoft games that excited our hearts in the 80's is coming back to life... One DVD and one 50-page book are included in one box. It includes game introductions, interviews with developers, a chronology of the history of each manufacturer, AD challenges to popular software, and complete coverage of all game data for each manufacturer.

GET BONUS: The Movie: E3 2010(en)

Tim Rogers and Robert Pelloni attempt to get into E3 without passes.