Machinima Primer

Over at IGN Complete, Ramsey Isler has posted an article called “Machinima 101“, which outlines the history and growth of these in-game fan films. Also included are some links for those who might be interested in flexing their own directorial might, or who may just want to watch some of the masters in action. The piece is a good general introduction to a growing past time that sees gamers give their own interpretations of game space.

Isler writes that “Machinima gives players the ability to tell stories to expand the worlds that many people are already familiar with”, and I think that’s a wonderful way to describe a phenomenon that gives gamers a creative outlet to explore both the landscapes of their favourite titles, and the characters that inhabit them.

I would suggest starting at Machinima.com, where you can find user-created short films in every game from World of Warcraft to Grand Theft Auto. It’s got a thriving forum community and a listing of the winners from the Machinima Film Festival from both 2005 and 2006. A great place to start if you’re wondering what all the fuss is about.