If you're among the cool kids, you haven't needed us to tell you to watch the YouTube series Life in a Game. We like the show, and not just because of the insane number of references to video games, but also because it plays so fast and loose with logic. It's a little like being on a drug specifically engineered to make you feel as if reality is being controlled by the world's raddest 8-year-old.
In this third installation (the second half of the second episode) Guy finally does battle with his nemesis the Red Jackal. Even if you don't care who wins, you can pass the time seeing how many nods to video games you catch. Oh, and if you want the story so far, here're parts one and two.
Frog's Theme is so badass. Great videos. I laughed at the combo breakers. Seems like that's what every fight came down to with a couple people who knew what they were doing in KI.
Please take the following as praise along with some friendly constructive criticism from a cynical old gamer. It's not a slam or a flame.
Nice work on it and all, but it lacks creative juice. It's just regurgitating everything you can remember about video games into one place. It's kind of like Family Guy-- There's no clever punch-line; just the giggle-fuel from seeing something that is familiar to you in an out-of-context manner. It's like a conversation between two potheads about videogames. `Not my kind of humor.
I applaud your hard work, but it's not for me. I'm just never impressed by video game nostalgia, whether it be the "homebrew" scene's obsession with playing 8-bit games on a $200 device, or game-referencing films like this. I was there, too. I played those games, and I've moved on. I just don't get the same "jolt" out of remembering something I did five years ago as other people do. (Honestly, I think I lack the gene for nostalgia. Perhaps your work is fine and I'm just defective.)
I will give high praise for one gag, though: The DDR arrows being used as weapons was a good idea. I liked that- It went beyond simply showing us something from the past, and instead morphed it into a new idea that had some depth, and was unexpected. Keep doing THAT sort of thing. It's far more satisfying than mindless regurgitation of video game scenes misplaced in the real world.
Production values are pretty tight. Like I said, I applaud the work and the effort, and I appreciate you sharing it with us. Keep it up!
You fault this movie for being too nostalgic. Its not really about that. I can almost guarantee that every gamer at one time or another has wondered what it would be like to be in a video game. That fact that this video uses mostly old games, with a few sprinkles of new is for the very same reason people play 8-bit games on their 200 dollar portables. Those games were f*%^ing fun. And thats where the genius comes from. Integrating all those great games,old or new, into a story that weaves in and out of real life, and putting a dash of lemon for a twist (shaken, not stirred).
I give this guy mad props and will be sending the links to all my gamer buddies.
I will say that I personally think some flaws are that some parts of each episode drag a bit, it's just hard to know that ahead of time while writing, and often the prospect of re-shooting everything after editing is done is too much of a PITA to consider.
We are not going for pure nostalgia but really, as noted, "What would it be like to live in a game?" In short, the answer is "strange and annoying", haha.
Oh and one more thing.
The main reason we use old games is not necessarily for nostalgia. It's because 8 bit sprites are WAY easier to rip and animate than, say, a 3D model.
But we also want to take a look at some of the idiosyncrasies of games and the behind the scenes stuff.
Like how Guy just has a crap box of items he's found, since he doesn't know what they're for. And how the Jackal actually leaves his "lair" for an ice cream break... or that game music is so ubiquitous (how many games have no music?) that you have to wonder if it annoys the characters.
So anyway we have heard some of the good and bad on these lines and we're both working to iron it out.
If you want a preview, Episode 3 will be introducing new characters, including party members and side bosses, as well as a new mix of games including NBA Jam, Half Life, Twilight Princess, etc.
Games in the background in 2-2. Myst, Monkey Island, MJ's Moonwalker, Metroid, Duck Hunt, NiGHTS: Into Dreams, Wolfenstein 3D, Earthbound, Earthworm Jim, Pong. In that order.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
WiNG @ Nov 29th 2007 10:10AM
Thanks for posting it!
Each of these videos took about 60 hours to make, including writing, editing, filming, and effects! We hope you enjoy this fight!
And if you SOMEHOW missed the previous story:
Episode 1-1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyXUVd2c83c
Episode 2-1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9nTx0nLX8U
gonk @ Nov 29th 2007 10:59AM
thanks for the work, they're entertaining
baef @ Nov 29th 2007 12:04PM
I would rather watch Rick Roll.
rv @ Nov 29th 2007 12:04PM
I love the cranky kong in 2-1. That brought me back.
JodyAnthony (Good Eats Defense Force) @ Nov 29th 2007 12:59PM
they are fantastic
Negativecool @ Nov 29th 2007 10:55AM
Lay-who-zay-hurs...
Ranko @ Nov 29th 2007 11:05AM
The Red Shell Scare of '93.
WiNG @ Nov 29th 2007 11:15AM
yeah it was damn scary, but hey at least we got out of school right?
RDX @ Nov 29th 2007 11:06AM
Frog's Theme is so badass. Great videos. I laughed at the combo breakers. Seems like that's what every fight came down to with a couple people who knew what they were doing in KI.
Sam @ Nov 29th 2007 11:14AM
amazingly more amusing than expected.
Note to self: bookmark.
laurita @ Nov 29th 2007 11:38AM
awesome!! thangs!! http://www.paraguaydelivery.com
Cheez-It @ Nov 29th 2007 11:57AM
Thanks for posting this, I enjoyed the episodes. Keep up the good work!
ilan @ Nov 29th 2007 12:13PM
FROG!!!!
hvnlysoldr @ Nov 29th 2007 12:41PM
Snake? SNAKE?
SNNNNNNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKEEE!
9600baud @ Nov 29th 2007 12:43PM
That was f*cking brilliant. The whole throwback-ness of it all was really amazing.
WiNG @ Nov 29th 2007 1:01PM
Thanks @ all the positive replies! Please rate it on Youtube if you can.
Also anyone wanna take a stab to ID all the game backgrounds in 2-2?
rDr4g0n @ Nov 29th 2007 1:32PM
i knew nothing about this show until now, and its gotta be my new favorite. ive been emailing it to everyone i know lol
The ZeroCorpse @ Nov 29th 2007 2:08PM
Please take the following as praise along with some friendly constructive criticism from a cynical old gamer. It's not a slam or a flame.
Nice work on it and all, but it lacks creative juice. It's just regurgitating everything you can remember about video games into one place. It's kind of like Family Guy-- There's no clever punch-line; just the giggle-fuel from seeing something that is familiar to you in an out-of-context manner. It's like a conversation between two potheads about videogames. `Not my kind of humor.
I applaud your hard work, but it's not for me. I'm just never impressed by video game nostalgia, whether it be the "homebrew" scene's obsession with playing 8-bit games on a $200 device, or game-referencing films like this. I was there, too. I played those games, and I've moved on. I just don't get the same "jolt" out of remembering something I did five years ago as other people do. (Honestly, I think I lack the gene for nostalgia. Perhaps your work is fine and I'm just defective.)
I will give high praise for one gag, though: The DDR arrows being used as weapons was a good idea. I liked that- It went beyond simply showing us something from the past, and instead morphed it into a new idea that had some depth, and was unexpected. Keep doing THAT sort of thing. It's far more satisfying than mindless regurgitation of video game scenes misplaced in the real world.
Production values are pretty tight. Like I said, I applaud the work and the effort, and I appreciate you sharing it with us. Keep it up!
Adam Danielson @ Nov 29th 2007 2:46PM
Yep, You're defective.
You fault this movie for being too nostalgic. Its not really about that. I can almost guarantee that every gamer at one time or another has wondered what it would be like to be in a video game. That fact that this video uses mostly old games, with a few sprinkles of new is for the very same reason people play 8-bit games on their 200 dollar portables. Those games were f*%^ing fun. And thats where the genius comes from. Integrating all those great games,old or new, into a story that weaves in and out of real life, and putting a dash of lemon for a twist (shaken, not stirred).
I give this guy mad props and will be sending the links to all my gamer buddies.
F you.
WiNG @ Nov 29th 2007 3:03PM
yeah the "F you" was probably a bit too mean, ha.
I will say that I personally think some flaws are that some parts of each episode drag a bit, it's just hard to know that ahead of time while writing, and often the prospect of re-shooting everything after editing is done is too much of a PITA to consider.
We are not going for pure nostalgia but really, as noted, "What would it be like to live in a game?" In short, the answer is "strange and annoying", haha.
Oh and one more thing.
The main reason we use old games is not necessarily for nostalgia. It's because 8 bit sprites are WAY easier to rip and animate than, say, a 3D model.
But we also want to take a look at some of the idiosyncrasies of games and the behind the scenes stuff.
Like how Guy just has a crap box of items he's found, since he doesn't know what they're for. And how the Jackal actually leaves his "lair" for an ice cream break... or that game music is so ubiquitous (how many games have no music?) that you have to wonder if it annoys the characters.
So anyway we have heard some of the good and bad on these lines and we're both working to iron it out.
If you want a preview, Episode 3 will be introducing new characters, including party members and side bosses, as well as a new mix of games including NBA Jam, Half Life, Twilight Princess, etc.
Adam Danielson @ Nov 29th 2007 2:49PM
grr...wish I could edit. I take back the "F you" Its not necessary.
Eighty-six @ Nov 30th 2007 12:17AM
Games in the background in 2-2. Myst, Monkey Island, MJ's Moonwalker, Metroid, Duck Hunt, NiGHTS: Into Dreams, Wolfenstein 3D, Earthbound, Earthworm Jim, Pong. In that order.