I had no idea a project like this was even in development until I read an article promoting the trailer on /FILM.
The movie focuses on indie game developers and their passion for video games and video game design.
I write about passion on this site often. I don’t feel normal unless I have some kind of creative project to work on everyday. Whether it’s a new screenplay, a blog post, an image in photoshop or a big broadcast at work, I desperately need to feel creative everyday. It’s that passion that drives me every morning when I skip television and jump straight onto my computer to work.
People ask me often how I’ve managed to write every day on The Athletic Nerd in addition to my indie film aspirations, screenwriting obsession and more. I explain it by asking people what they do when they get home from work on a normal day. Most evenings are filled up with television or whatever else helps one relax and unwind. The last thing anyone wants to do after a long day at work is… More work. But I don’t see these projects as work. It’s simply what I love to do.
If you understand what it’s like to wake up extra early to work on a passion project then you probably enjoyed the trailer above as much as I did.
People go to the movies for a cinematic experience. Video games can provide a similar experience with an added level of immersion and interactivity. Over the last few years, I’ve become obsessed with video games that play out like movies.
We’ve been given countless movie like experiences in video games but today I’d like to focus on the studios behind them. The top 10 cinematic game studios.
HONORABLE MENTION | NINTENDO: THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, BETHESDA SOFTWORKS:Fallout 3, Skyrim
I’m currently wrapped up in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It’s been dominating most of my free time for a while. Giant RPGs are tricky because they don’t really present a single narrative but that’s also an advantage. The ‘movie’ is different for every single player depending on the choices they make.
The big draw in games like Skyrim is the world itself. Bethesda Softworks creates incredibly detailed and wonderful worlds to explore.
10. BLIZZARD – World of Warcraft
You hear stories about divorces being blamed on Azeroth. While I never got into World of Warcraft, I was completely obsessed with the Warcraft real time strategy games. It was worth it for the cut scenes alone. Blizzard has always created amazing animated cut scenes that weave their plots together between the action. These scenes have always been beautiful and compelling.
Is there a movie?
Sam Raimi has long been attached to a World of Warcraft adaptation but nothing concrete has come along in a while. If you want to follow the film (or the rumors) check out this site.
9. ROCKSTEADY – Batman: Arkham Asylum
In my humble opinion, the geniuses at Rocksteady created the best superhero video game of all time when they unleashed Batman: Arkham Asylum. At least until they topped it with an equally brilliant and fun sequel, Arkham City. These games are love letters to superhero fans with tons of hidden references and cameos. People want to be Batman and these games are the closest thing to it.
The real stand out here are the voice actor’s amazing performances. Especially Mark Hamill as The Joker.
Is there a movie?
You really can’t plan a Batman movie until Christopher Nolan wraps up his legendary trilogy when The Dark Knight Rises is released. Still, I’m sure Warner Brothers is already planning some kind of sequel/reboot/remake/re imagining… Thing. It’s not a stretch to think they have considered these games at some point. Though I’m thinking Nolan will return as a producer and the series will continue the amazing style and tone he developed and mastered.
8. SQUARE ENIX – Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy is one of the most recognizable video game franchises on the planet. It’s a world that has already inspired numerous film adaptations.
Hideo Kojima is a legend. Of all the franchises listed here without a movie, Metal Gear is by far the most surprising. No movie yet? Come on Hollywood!
Is there a movie?
It’s listed on IMDB but right now it’s safe to say no movie will be coming any time soon.
6. BIOWARE – Mass Effect
I’m obsessed with the Mass Effect series. This is literally an infinite universe that Bioware has created full of amazing characters and massive battles. Not only is the series a blast to play but it allows you to carry your character over to the sequels. Nice! I can’t wait for my character’s third adventure aboard The Normandy.
Grand Theft Auto 3 changed the way we looked at games forever. It paved the way for so many incredibly deep sandbox games. Grand Theft Auto 4 raised the bar and with the anticipated 5th installment on the way, you would think Hollywood would capitalize on the franchise’s popularity right? Everyone loves a good heist movie and these games are packed with cinematic heist sequences. Not too mention cars, crime, violence and more. Somebody make a Grand Theft Auto summer action movie please?
Is there a movie?
A little digging revealed some rights issues behind the scenes but there hasn’t been a ton of talk out there about getting a production started.
4. IRRATIONAL GAMES – Bioshock
I would love to see the world of Rapture on the big screen. The original Bioshock had one of the best stories I’ve ever played through. I was totally captivated by the world, the art style, the Big Daddy/Little Sister relationships, the twists and so much more. (Jean Dujardin as Andrew Ryan? I don’t mean to type cast the guy but it could definitely work.)
Is there a movie?
A while back, Director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean, The Ring) was on board and Bioshock was in the early stages of pre-production.
However, budget issues forced the project to the sidelines. This movie has to happen and it HAS to be R rated. I’m happy waiting as long as they don’t sacrifice the elements that made the game so memorable.
Halo redefined the first person shooter when it was released in 2001. It introduced us to an action hero made for the big screen. Master Chief. The game is full of imaginative and exciting set pieces that MUST be filmed eventually… Right?
Is there a movie?
Peter Jackson led a team that included director Neill Blomkamp (District 9) in a phenomenal pairing that every geek loved…
Unfortunately budget issues at Microsoft put a stop to it and they moved on. To date, no official word has surfaced on the Halo movie.
2. INFINITY WARD – CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE
The Modern Warfare franchise pretty much functions as a movie already. Each level is full of amazing heart stopping moments. I still go back and play the sniper level from the first Modern Warfare. Crawling on that grass hoping to avoid capture gets me every time. Great franchise.
Is there a movie?
Nope. Still no word in any official capacity. You have to assume that somewhere there is a studio agonizing over who would play Soap if they ever made a movie… All I found was a couple old articles on MTV and /Film. However, you can’t ignore the original games or the recent Black Ops either…
1. NAUGHTY DOG – UNCHARTED
THE cinematic video game experience. The Uncharted series has successfully blurred the line between video games and movies. When you play Uncharted, you ARE Nathan Drake and you are most definitely IN a movie.
Is there a movie?
David O. Russell was gearing up to direct Uncharted with Mark Walberg attached to star. The casting alone caused some controversy as many fans out there wanted Nathan Fillion to win the role. Just when people got used to the idea of David O. Russell’s approach to the material the project fell apart. What intrigued me were the rumors that Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci would potentially be involved.
This movie WILL happen especially after the huge success of Uncharted 3. It’s just a matter of when and who the artists behind the project will be.
I still remember the day I decided to create 17west.ca by myself. I didn’t know anything about web design, I had zero coding skills and limited Photoshop knowledge. Jump forward a few years and I now maintain 5 websites including 3 blogs. … But I’m still learning.
After all this time, 17 West’s home page was still lacking in functionality. It wasn’t built on a content management platform so updating it was a pain. Social media sites and networking opportunities were no where to be found. Most importantly, the site lacked any ability for expansion without having to redesign graphics and layouts from scratch. It wasn’t an efficient website. But these are all lessons I learned along the way. You learn by trying.
Now, the newly rebuilt 17west.ca is a WordPress powered site with more interactivity, more content and a brand new look. The main page is a simple layout that highlights our films but the central system is the new blog which will be updated often with new content.
I’m excited to finally be able to post new items quickly and enhance our presence online. The new site is built to take us into the future. Not only that, we’ve finally uploaded more films for everyone to see.
I got my hands on King’s Quest 6 long ago. How long ago? It ran on my lightning fast Compaq Presario 850. I instantly fell in love with the amazing graphics and gameplay. And thus the game dominated my life for months.
My dad runs his own business and our computer was command central in our basement. Obviously, I’m thankful that my dad is a hard working man but it was always disappointing to come home from school and see him working. It meant I couldn’t play King’s Quest!
Once he was finished his to-do list, I got to work exploring and solving puzzles. Eventually, my imagination surpassed the limits of the game and I began writing my own story entitled. The King’s Deadly Race. I filled up a bunch of loose pages before my mom bought me a notebook to collect them all.
And so, I would make progress in the game and in my own story simultaneously. It was a glorious time. I would open up new secrets in the game and it would inspire me to create my own unique secrets in my writing. Eventually, I beat the game and moved on but for a little while, King’s Quest literally dominated my imagination.
I think screenwriters everywhere have little tales like this. Moments from our past that inspired us and led us down the road we walk today. I look back on King’s Quest 6 fondly not only because the game captured my imagination but because it set my imagination on fire.
To this day, I still have the first 5 chapters of The King’s Deadly Race in the same notebook my mom bought me long ago. I can tell you exactly where it is. I keep it close because it was created when my passion for writing began. While I wrote that book, I discovered how much I love to write and I began searching for a medium that suited me.
I found that outlet the day I discovered the screenplay format and the rest is history.
C:\
cd Quest [enter]
C:\quest>
Quest.exe [enter]
That’s probably not exact but you get the idea. Takes me back.
About five years ago, when we first started 17 West Productions, I took it upon myself to learn web design and photoshop. I figured with a little bit of work and a lot of help from tutorials online, I could make something that wouldn’t suck.
Fast forward a few years and I am amazed at how far I’ve come. I’m now confident that my work isn’t horrific and even though there is always room for improvement, I’m proud of the 5 websites I’ve created.
My first site has definitely evolved more than any other. It seemed like every six months I was forced to redesign it from scratch in order to include new techniques I had learned.
Today, 17 West’s home online is full of content and information about our films. However, it’s that time again and work has begun on a redesign that will incorporate new things I’ve learned over the years.
Things like SEO, social media, video, integration and better functionality overall.
I can apply these things to the redesign because of a movie blog called:
My blog about movies, screenwriting and independent film began as a single page on 17west.ca. Of course, this was before I discovered WordPress. I had about 10 posts finished but it wasn’t anywhere near what I had originally envisioned.
I wanted my blog to reach people like me and in turn, direct them to the projects I was working on. I wanted a place to write about my passions wherever I happen to be.
It’s been over two years since I launched The Athletic Nerd and I’ve written over 750 posts. The site received a redesign in celebration of the two year milestone and there are no plans to slow down any time soon. Posting about movies every day has become a part of who I am. I love working on this site.
17 West is a partnership. My partner Eric Gamache is a talented producer/director and we are both obsessed with film. But we also work on other projects and it was decided that portfolio sites would be a welcome addition to our little network. I was pumped because it gave me two more blank canvases to work with. Both sites showcase our individual work but they also connect seamlessly with our other online destinations.
The newest addition to the team is a blog about the wonderful uniqueness of a perfect stranger. It’s a blog dedicated to writers and the people that inspire their work.
Writing for The Athletic Nerd is a blast but posts in the form of short stories felt out of place. People Tales is essentially a collection of stories I’ve gathered by ‘people watching’ over the years. Each of these stories has a connection to screenwriting choices and so a companion blog was needed. I love finding ways to integrate my two blogs together and I’m extremely excited to explore the possibilities.
All of my sites are connected through one single Twitter account which is associated with my most important brand, 17 West. To date, nearly 1400 people follow me.
Beyond marketing implications, Twitter has also connected me with hundreds of talented artists. People who are passionate and inspiring. Surfing my timeline always provides me with unique and original content I would have never been able to enjoy otherwise. It’s also lead to several fantastic interviews which you read here.
THE NETWORK
When I began teaching myself web design and photoshop years ago, I always wanted to create my own little movie network online. With the launch of People Tales, I feel like I’ve taken another step towards that goal. I’m done adding websites now. This network took five years to develop but now it’s time to refine and enhance. It’s time to make these sites better.
Who knows where these websites will be in five years but I’m still just as committed as I was on day one when CSS was a foreign language to me.
