Complete List of Video Game Documentaries

[Flack]

I swear I did this before but I can't find it, so let's do it again! Please respond with your own and I will get them added to the list.

Video Game Documentaries

Chasing Ghosts: Beyond the Arcade (2007)
Frag (2008) (Pro-gaming)
Game Over: Kasparov and the Machine (2003)
Gamer Revolution
Get Lamp
High Score (Link (http://www.highscoremovie.com/))
Once Upon Atari (Link (http://www.onceuponatari.com/))
Phosphor Dot Fossils: The DVD (Link (http://www.thelogbook.com/media/products/pdf-brown-box/))
Playing Columbine (2008)
Rise of the Video Game (5 Episodes, Discovery Channel)
Second Skin (World of Warcraft) (Link (http://movies.amctv.com/movie/433058/Second-Skin/overview))
Spencer Halpin's Moral Kombat
Stella at 20
Tetris: From Russia with Love (2004)
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)
The Secret History of Volition (ONLINE (http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/03/30/the-secret-history-of-volition.aspx))
Thumb Candy (2000)
Tilt! The Battle to Save Pinball (Link (http://www.tilt-movie.com/))

Honorable Mentions

BBS: The Documentary (Link (http://www.bbsdocumentary.com/))
CGE DVDs (Link (http://www.thelogbook.com/media/products/))
The Rock-afire Explosion
Triumph of the Nerds
Triumph of the News 2: Nerds 2.0.1 (Link (http://www.pbs.org/opb/nerds2.0.1/))

[tom]

How about another honourable mention, Triumph of the Nerds part 2:
NERDS 2.0.1

[Kid Ice]

Stella at 20 (1999)

Also would the CGE 2007 set count?

[lazyhoboguy]

Is this list only for like actual films that are released on dvds? Or can we link to ones that are just watchable online. For example this: http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/03/30/the-secret-history-of-volition.aspx

[Flack]

List updated, and links to online documentaries are just fine!

Does anyone have a source for Stella at 20?

[leatherrebel5150]

Does anybody know where I can watch the discovery channel episodes?

[Amos]

Video Game Invasion (2004), hosted by Tony Hawk

[lazyhoboguy]

http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/about/b20/videos.html#blizzard-retrospective

Blizzard made a documentary style video for their 20th anniversary awhile ago. I haven't played any Blizzard games, but I still liked the video.

[HappehLemons]

http://www.focusdocumentary.com/ (2011)

About SSFV I think, and pro street fighter player Mike Ross. It's not out yet but i'm sure it's going to be good.

[Yoder]

The 8bit Philosophy: A Commodore64 Symphony

http://www.remix64.com/the_8bit_philosophy_released.html

Has a European chip-tune focus, but there are some good interviews with famous musicians like the guy who did the Giana Sisters tune (which I can't stand, personally).

[tom]

Dr. Kong (sequel to The King of Kong)

[Stringfellow]

It sucks that only one of those mentioned is on netflix.

[Lerxstnj]

New one...

Bonus Life: Extended Play

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1WQpNRLsWs

[slapdash]

Does anyone have a source for Stella at 20?

Randy Crihfield used to have some, and cheap, but I believe they've long since run out. Glenn Saunders, the copyright holder, had hoped/intended to put together an all-encompassing version with both volumes and additional footage out in one package, but I have no idea if he still has any intention of doing so.

[Nz17]

I don't know if this would count or go into the Honorable Mentions, but there is swlovinist's The Nuts and Bolts to Videogame Collecting: Volumes 1, 2, and 3.

[XYXZYZ]

Wasn't there a fighting game documentary called Bang the Machine?

[Duke.Togo]

Special When Lit (2009) pinball documentary: www.specialwhenlitmovie.com

In The Game: An Insiders Look Into Video Gaming: Amazon link http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00284BVB8/ref=s9_simh_gw_p74_d3_g74_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0SPGQX1DRJ4D2TWER0DC&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Maybe special mention for Famicom Dojo Season 1 DVD: www.famicomdojo.tv

[TheRedEye]

I have no idea who is doing this, and the official source of the teasers has been pulled offline, but the upcoming (I hope!!!) 8-Bit Generation looks to be the best of them all:

http://youtu.be/N5tUZJ2p-r0

I can't express how excited I am for this, I wish I knew who was making it! Teasers were put online in like March and then just...disappeared. This looks to be from someone who saved one. From what I can tell one of the other teasers had an interview clip with Jack Tramiel!

[treismac]

Awesome thread, Flack! Thank you, sir.

[JSoup]

How about most of the Icons TV series?

[Jorpho]

Get Lamp is available online:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRhbcDzbGSU

And if you can't get enough, Archive.org has all the extended interviews:
http://www.archive.org/details/getlamp-interviews

I remember the CBC aired a one-hour documentary-like thing called First Person Shooter somewhere between eight to ten years ago, but it's hard to find any references to it, aside from a brief blurb in the producer's bio (http://www.bottleblondeproductions.com/about.html). I guess someone could always message her for details?

But in the process of searching, I did find this:
http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/2008-2009/top_gun/

We might as well count the Penn & Teller Bullshit episode if we're going that far, though.
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?133613-Penn-amp-Teller-BS-Show-Covering-Videogames-Airs-Thursday

[swlovinist]

EscTasy of Order: The Tetris Masters

http://ecstasyoforder.com/

While not technically officially released yet, should be on the list.

[killimgfloor]

I remember a video game documentary on PBS called "The Video Game Revolution". I hope it is not listed.

http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/

[digitpress Jim]

CNBC Originals: Game On! The Unauthorized History of Video Games. It is on Netflix now.

[rbudrick]

Secret Videogame Tricks, Codes, and Strategies
Volumes 1, 2, 3

lol

-Rob

[Parodius Duh!]

Beyond the Game - 2008 Dutch documentary about competitive gaming.

Famitsu 25th anniversary DVD - Japanese Documentary about Famitsu gaming Magazine.

Playing Columbine - Documentary about the creation of Super Columbine Massacre RPG

Login2Life - Doc about Handicapped people that have found an alternate life in the game 'Second Life'

Golden Axe: In the beginning - Doc on youtube from gamingbits about the history of Golden Axe series.

Sonic: A Quick History - Doc on Sonic series available on youtube from user jp4rk

Thumb Candy - British BBC TV documentary about the history of computer gaming

Game Makers - G4 TV series about game developers, creators, etc....

Game on! - Doc about the launch of Wii and PS3 from HLN network

Charlie Brookers Gameswipe - BBC Channel 4 mini series/documentary/review show. Only one episode broadcast before cancellation

I, Videogame - Discovery channel doc from 2007

The Video game Revolution - 2004 PBS documentary

Video game Invasion: History of a Global Obsession - Game Show Network Doc from 2004

FPS por dento do virtual - Portugese doc about First person shooters

Game Over: Gender, Race, and Violence in Video games - 2000 documentary (dont remember network)

[Buyatari]

I'm shocked that there hasn't been a videogame documentary with actual player interaction of some type. It would a great tool to use for such a task.

[Greg2600]

http://www.hulu.com/watch/135697

High Score has been on Hulu for awhile, free, just have to watch commercials. Only available in USA. Very good movie.

[Andy]

Indie Game: The Movie

[Flam]

which is better, king of kongs or chasing ghosts?

[eggwolio]

They're different, but I don't know that either is "better." I enjoyed them both. There's less pedophiles in King of Kong, though.

Also, there's a movie called Life 2.0 about Second Life. Does that count?

[JSoup]

which is better, king of kongs or chasing ghosts?

Both have about the same message: Billy Mitchell is god king of the douchebags and arcade gamers are all sad mother fuckers.

[Flam]

Just watched some clips from "Chasing Ghosts" on you tube. All I can say is Leo Daniels is livin' large. L-I-V-I-N.

Evidently he make's it a point to surround himself with successful people, which is why he is so successful and has such a bad-ass apartment.

[Greg2600]

Both have about the same message: Billy Mitchell is god king of the douchebags and arcade gamers are all sad mother fuckers.

Have you watched this griped-laced followup?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fszs371Le0Y

[JSoup]

Have you watched this griped-laced followup?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fszs371Le0Y

Didn't know about that, I'll watch it later. I'm also under the impression that there is a sequel to King of Kong called Dr. Kong or something like that but I haven't found a source for that.