Codes of Honor is a beautiful and innovative short film by Jon Rafman which uses a fictional conceit to tell a very real story: The melancholy joy of being an arcade game champion. Set aside 15 minutes and watch in HD:
The movie's told from the point of view of a fictional former game master who now spends most of his time in the metaverse, but the video footage, including an interview with a former Street Fighter master, is real.
"There was a profound bond between gamers that really captivated me," Rafman tells me, explaining his inspiration for Codes of Honor. "I found that pro-gamers often ascribe to classical values and virtues of the past: honor, respect for your rival, community spirit, and excellence. Whenever I interviewed hardcore gamers, they would always give me heartfelt answers that revealed their true passion for the games. I found it fascinating how ‘high’ classical archetypes are expressed today in the ‘low’ cultural form of video games."
However, rather than just tell this story with archival video footage, Rafman framed it with Second Life machinima. Here's why:
"I wanted to construct a film that would mimic the aesthetics of video games and that would comprise different modes, voices and tenses. With SL machinima, I could seamlessly move through actual, virtual, and imaginary space and time. Mixing documentary and SL machinima better enabled me to address the contemporary dilemma that also faces the pro-gamer: that is, how to construct a continuous self-narrative in an a-historical world. I also felt that by using SL machinima I could illustrate the 3D exploration features that so captivate practitioners of many video games." The ability to shoot high quality 3D animation at a low budget was also a plus.
The result is a tribute to a bygone era of digital experience, told through an even deeper digital medium:
"Video games helped shape the myths of my childhood," as Rafman puts it. "I always wanted to make a film that emphasized the psychic and social power of video games. I also was interested in the decline of the American arcade and Street Fighter was one of the last great arcade game franchises in North America. I had witnessed the decline first hand with the rise of the home console. Video gaming went from being a social activity that took place in the back of restaurants, truck stops, and convenience stores to becoming a private activity that took place in the comfort of one’s home. Although the video game community grew a great deal during this process, its essential nature changed forever.
Read more about Codes of Honor here on Rhizome blog. Rafman, as I noted before, is making an SL machinima with literary bad boy a Tao Lin. Though I was skeptical when I first saw that news, I'm looking forward to it now.
Hat tip: Joanne McNeil.
It amazed me, truly evoked many deep stuff out of the gamer collective subconscious. This is for what the metaverse really is, to peep into the imagination, mind and feelings of others, and to share yours too.
I also loved Tutsy's machinima movies, thanks Hamlet.
Posted by: mknaomi Destiny | Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 11:36 AM