MMO documentary "Second Skin" debuts in theaters today
by Shawn Schuster 
Aug 7th 2009 at 4:30PM
Filed under: Events, real-world, MMO industry, Machinima
Is the movie worth seeing if you're heavily into MMOs? Well, we try not to do reviews here (MMO reviews at least), but I would say it's definitely worth checking out if you enjoy MMOs even a tiny bit. The film showcases the lives of several MMO gamers (mostly WoW and EverQuest) to show how these games have affected their lives. There's a fairly good balance of good and bad, showing everything from the marriage of people who met in these games to a tragic suicide that was blamed on an MMO. Check it out all this week online at Fancast or SnagFilms, or at participating theaters across America.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jack said on 4:55PM 8-07-2009
Great movie! thanks for this post!
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Jack said on 5:07PM 8-07-2009
Ok I take it back this movie sucks... anti-gaming campaign.
Yet a other of that 100 of so called movies showing the same view on this type of games.... (the typical stereotypes). I do have a life and enjoy my freelancer job I am married to someone I meet in real life and life with her! I play my favorite MMO mostly in weekends and week days for 3/4 hours after 9.
THAC0 said on 5:22PM 8-07-2009
Great another thing for someone to watch and then call me crazy for playing mmos, which like Jack i do mostly on the weekend or when my GF is out riding her horse or something. TV rots your brain!
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Tom said on 5:50PM 8-07-2009
This movie is not a "Anti-Gaming Campaign" at all. Jack you must not have watched more then 5 minutes of the film.
Both of these previous comments from you guys are talking like you have seen the flim.
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Jack said on 6:00PM 8-07-2009
Showing someone that wanted to kill him self over a mmo is pretty much the more low you can go....
usagizero said on 8:03PM 8-07-2009
I watched the whole thing, and yes, it was anti-gamer propaganda.
The mom who's kid was seriously mentally ill blaming all his problems on gaming, and then treating other gamers the same. The guy who said crack addicts are better than gamers because at least crack addicts get out once and a while. Only a blip about the guys in wheelchairs who could be in game what they aren't in life. Focusing on the overweight people, while there were some pretty fit couples that just got a few seconds time. Yeah, not biased at all. :P
mandarin said on 6:02PM 8-07-2009
I dont know if this is going to bring in the crowd from the looks of those promoters.
I'll stick to Gi Joe this weekend.
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Graill said on 6:19PM 8-07-2009
The gene pool of life always finds a way to cleanse itself. Weak minds that make poor choices are the first to go. Not that its a big issue in the movie itself but saying an MMO was responsible for this or that is just plain ignorant.
If someone kills themself over a game, any game, or anything for that matter, then it is because they have a weak mind or a damaged one, nothing more, best they are removed from the gene pool as not to pollute it further. All sympathies aside of course.
Folks getting married ingame or meeting folks ingame that get married in real life because of said game have other issues in a totally different catagory (if your one of the few that fall into this niche and my statement upsets you, then my point has been made). Basing your lifetime relationship on each other loving and meeting in an MMO will lead to years of more successful and stellar choices i am sure.
The movie has the appeal of the blair witch project, kids getting together to cut and paste garbage into what they consider passable entertainment to make money off of misguided fools. All the while laughing as they put that money in the bank.
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Nerolus said on 7:36PM 8-07-2009
"Not that its a big issue in the movie itself but saying an MMO was responsible for this or that is just plain ignorant."
This is true. The film is not about bashing games. They even interview some creators of games who explain how great they are for people, in many different ways. Hell, half the movie was people meeting their significant others online - that is a great thing. The kid who killed himself, and the mother who blames the game...they were just plain fucking insane. That lady is a nutjob, and she completely and totally blames the game for killing her son. That is false. The game didn't hurt anyone, and they arent corporate concoctions meant to kill people either. The film shows gaming addiction and relationships it from many angles, and however you want to perceive it is up to you.
royale said on 7:50PM 8-07-2009
People who want to kill themselves will do it no matter what their hobbies are.
If the parents can't deal with it and/or feel responsible then they try to find somewhere else to place the blame.
CindyL said on 2:08AM 8-08-2009
"Folks getting married ingame or meeting folks ingame that get married in real life because of said game have other issues in a totally different catagory (if your one of the few that fall into this niche and my statement upsets you, then my point has been made). Basing your lifetime relationship on each other loving and meeting in an MMO will lead to years of more successful and stellar choices i am sure."
Say what? What's the difference between people dating in real life and living in different apartments/houses for years and then moving in together, compared to people talking online for years and then moving in together?
Nothing. In both situations you quickly realize that living with someone is a totally different ball game then talking them with when you CHOOSE to and not like, all the freakin' time. It may sound easy but to those couples who've been there you know there's so many changes you have to go through together before life at two becomes bliss. XD Online or not, it's the same thing in both situations you have the illusion you really know someone, but then you move in and BAM there's a lot you just didn't expect. lol.
Nerolus said on 7:36PM 8-07-2009
I watched it on Hulu today. You've got to watch the whole thing instead of just part if you're going to criticize it. It's a great movie.
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lapis said on 1:08AM 8-08-2009
great movie.
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monkeystick said on 8:18AM 8-08-2009
I agree that it was well-made, but it lost me when they decided to focus on a few real idiots.. Like the guy who "swore off" MMOs and now spends his time walking around in dark alleys talking about how great his life now that he gave up gaming.
As someone who knows how to spend a couple of hours per day playing an MMO and then put it down, I didn't feel represented at all.
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Sean said on 8:32AM 8-08-2009
Your story would likewise not be that interesting. It is a conceit of most documentaries to focus on exceptional cases. The well adjusted, casual gamer isn't that exciting.
Shawn Schuster said on 8:37AM 8-08-2009
Funny little bit of trivia from this movie: Andy Belford (the guy whose wife had twins) is now the Community Coordinator for Warhammer Online.
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Albondigas said on 12:20PM 8-09-2009
Second Skin is also coming to the big screen in select cities.
New York - August 7th-9th - The Tank Theater *(Tonight is the last
night!)
Los Angeles - August 14th-20th - The Downtown Independent
Boston - August 14th-20th - The Somerville Theater
Austin - August 16th-17th - The Alamo Draft House (they will continue
the run through the week if we pack the screenings.)
The film makers will be at many of the screenings. Check out website
to see which ones.
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danarchy said on 6:44PM 8-10-2009
I had hopes that this wouldn't be yet another fear filled skew of the mmo phenomena but um....ya. The people that quit playing are shown sans any problems, the people that still play at the end are made to look sad and destitute. I would be happy to invite the director over to my house and im sure many of my friends that play would do the same. My house is big, almost paid off and my lawn looks great. Neither me nor my girlfriend are overweight or depressed.
Some people are unable to moderate anything in their lives, it is not just an effect of video games. It is an effect of mental disability and a severely disconnected society.
Just like the poor woman whos son shot himself, the director of this is looking for a scapegoat for these peoples various problems so they do not have to accept and personal accountability for the social stigmata of being "different". We do this to people that are fat, disabled, or just don't fit in. Conform or be cast out.
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Earth Primbee said on 12:13PM 9-16-2009
I love this film because it is not one sided at all. Anything you put too much time into can hurt you be it work, sports, tv, games, shopping, drugs, gambling, eating, etc etc. In this film they examine the different sides of the "MMO" or "MMORPG" to be more specific.
I've known someone like all the people in the film. There were a ton of positive notes about why virtual worlds are a benefit to people.
We can all be armchair directors but these guys went out and DID it.
I show this movie to everyone I meet who is interested in what i do in virtual worlds. It is an eye opener that sneaks up on them seemingly agreeing with their suspision of virtual worlds then hands them the benefits just when they are thinking they were right. Brilliant.
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