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Indie Game: The Movie

  • 20122012
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
21K
YOUR RATING
Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
A documentary that follows the journeys of indie game developers as they create games and release those works, and themselves, to the world.
Play trailer2:47
2 Videos
11 Photos
DocumentaryDrama
A documentary that follows the journeys of indie game developers as they create games and release those works, and themselves, to the world.A documentary that follows the journeys of indie game developers as they create games and release those works, and themselves, to the world.A documentary that follows the journeys of indie game developers as they create games and release those works, and themselves, to the world.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
21K
YOUR RATING
    • Lisanne Pajot
    • James Swirsky
  • Stars
    • Jonathan Blow
    • Brandon Boyer
    • Renaud Bédard
    • Lisanne Pajot
    • James Swirsky
  • Stars
    • Jonathan Blow
    • Brandon Boyer
    • Renaud Bédard
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 31User reviews
    • 49Critic reviews
    • 73Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos2

    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 2:47
    Watch Theatrical Version
    Indie Game: The Movie
    Trailer 2:46
    Watch Indie Game: The Movie

    Photos11

    Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
    Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
    Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
    Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
    Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
    Phil Fish in Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
    Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky in Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
    Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
    Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
    Indie Game: The Movie (2012)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jonathan Blow
    • Self
    Brandon Boyer
    • Self
    Renaud Bédard
    • Self
    Anthony Carboni
    • Self
    Ron Carmel
    • Self
    Chris Dahlen
    • Self
    Phil Fish
    Phil Fish
    • Self
    Gus Mastrapa
    • Self
    Danielle McMillen
    • Self
    Edmund McMillen
    • Self
    Jamie Refenes
    • Self
    Kim Refenes
    • Self
    Tommy Refenes
    • Self
    Ken Schachter
    • Self
    Jamin Warren
    • Self
    Joe Drilling
    • PAX East Attendee
    • (uncredited)
      • Lisanne Pajot
      • James Swirsky
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Much is made in the movie of the protracted development of Fez (2012). The game did eventually get released on April 13, 2012. It received critical praise and is considered a commercial success.
    • Goofs
      When Tommy is mailing Microsoft, he's using a PC, but the full-screen pictures of the email client are of Apple Mail.
    • Quotes

      Edmund McMillen: My whole career has been me, trying to find new ways to communicate with people, because I desperately want to communicate with people, but I don't want the messy interaction of having to make friends and talk to people, because I probably don't like them.

    • Crazy credits
      Various game play video from other independent games not covered in the main movie are shown during the credits.
    • Connections
      Features Braid (2008)

    User reviews31

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    A fantastic film that shows the human spirit and the drive for success
    For many people, there is never a second thought going in to how a game is developed; they will never stop to think how it materialised into the finished piece of absorbing, slice of entertainment that they hold in their hand (or download manager!). This film helps to put human faces and personalities on to the development process, and offers a truly unique look into the pressure and personal sacrifices that can often be found for a new (or experienced) indie developer.

    Make no mistake, this film will be interesting to you even if you are not much of an indie games fan yourself and you would rather stick with the shiny, big-budget productions such as Halo and Call of Duty. It might however, even go so far as to change your mind and give the underdogs a shot when looking for a new game. As this film shows, these somewhat socially-hermitted developers (due to their passion for perfection) go to extreme lengths to provide a thoroughly engrossing and enjoyable experience for you, the user. You will see them eat, breathe and live for their games, with the possibility of failure truly emphasised when they are asked what they might do if their game is a failure.

    The film focuses on two major story lines, the development of two eagerly awaited indie games that are being developed by only a couple of highly-focused people for each game. You will begin to learn why they chose the hard-life they now live, how it has affected their social, emotional, physical and financial lives and you will most-likely develop a respect for these guys that you wouldn't necessarily associate with a game developer. Watching the stories unfold will leave you longing to know what is going to happen next, if they can overcome the problems they face; but mostly, if they are satisfied with the life they have chosen.

    While the film could have benefited with perhaps waiting a little longer to allow for all of the stories to unfold fully, this is one of the best documentaries (and the first of its kind of this subject I have seen) released in the last few years, and I would urge anyone to watch it regardless of how much the behind-the-scenes of the indie game industry interests you.

    Oh and of course, you should go and buy the games featured in this film because they are just as good as the developers describe them. You can check out the websites of the associated games and their developers to check out the progress they have made since the film was released, it will likely be of some interest to you after watching this!
    helpful•58
    9
    • duncansmith121
    • Jun 14, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 15, 2012 (Taiwan)
      • Canada
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
    • Production company
      • BlinkWorks Media
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 43 minutes
      • Color

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