Indie Game: The Movie Review
This review of Indie Game: The Movie was written after a screening at the Game Developers Conference earlier this year. We present it again today to mark the digital release of the film on Steam, iTunes and direct download today. For full details, see ‘How to See It’ below. It’s not surprising that independent documentary film-makers James Swirsky and Lisanne Pajot – who raised the funds to make their film via Kickstarter – should find sympathetic subjects in a bunch of talented indie game creators. Nor is it surprising that Indie Game: The Movie should get a standing ovation after an oversubscribed screening at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. It’s the definition of a home crowd, and this tale of triumph over adversity is just what directors and audience alike wanted to hear. It’s a soft-hearted, uncritical group hug of a film that romanticises the artist’s struggle and delivers a fantasy-fulfilling Hollywood ending. But that’s not the only reason they stood and whooped in the aisles at the Moscone Center on Monday night; it’s also a heartfelt piece of work that does much to demystify and humanise games and the game development process. Read more…
