Second Skin

While on the trawl for more insights into video game culture I discovered a 2008 documentary “Second Skin” (Juan Carlos Pineiro-Escoriaza, Director, August 7, 2009).

As Nick Yee, a game analyst says in the film “A lot times when people talk about video game players… they try and collapse everyone into one kind of person”. But that is not the reality.

The film profiles a group of people who clearly identify with being a “Gamer” and as a result of various motivations organise their lives around MMPORGs. In contrast to the stereotype of gamer as being loners, the film shows how through the games like EverQuest II and World Of Warcraft they have formed strong personal offline relationships with other players. This includes becoming roommates, travelling thousands of miles to meet up or even getting married. The Director cleverly intercuts machinima with scenes from everyday life to draw witty parallel between the “virtual” and “real” world.

It attempts to draw a balance with those consumed by “game addiction” with the positives disabled people draw from playing without physical barriers.

“Second Skin” is interdispersed with graphics illustrating key industry facts and insights. I was unaware of “The Syndicate” an exclusive bastion of gaming “High Culture” where one must apply and pass a test to join. The film is effective in explaining the mechanics around the virtual gold currency and features interviews with Chinese “Gold Farmers”.

I found the documentary enriching as it captures the dynamics of the relationships formed through video games and how these travel beyond  “in game” situations.