Beyond the Game: Difference between revisions
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It has premiered at the [[International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam]]<ref>http://www.idfa.nl/en/festival/films/film.aspx?id=22801e1e-8539-4eba-8d0c-e3115c78bc2c</ref> in Pathé de Munt, and had the cinema premiere in [[Tuschinski|Pathé Tuschinski]], and has now been released in cinemas throughout The Netherlands<ref>http://www.esreality.com/?a=post&id=1660445</ref>. |
It has premiered at the [[International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam]]<ref>http://www.idfa.nl/en/festival/films/film.aspx?id=22801e1e-8539-4eba-8d0c-e3115c78bc2c</ref> in Pathé de Munt, and had the cinema premiere in [[Tuschinski|Pathé Tuschinski]], and has now been released in cinemas throughout The Netherlands<ref>http://www.esreality.com/?a=post&id=1660445</ref>. |
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== Historical background == |
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In 2002 the videogame ''[[Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos]]'' is released which sells millions of copies and quickly becomes a leading title in the world of competitive gaming (in 2003 an expansion on the game, ''[[Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne]]'', is released). |
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A 17-year old Swede by the name of [[Fredrik Johansson (electronic sports player)|Fredrik Johansson]] devotes himself to this new sport and rises to become the runner-up of the 2003 [[Electronic Sports World Cup]] and becomes widely regarded as the strongest non-Asian player. He is subsequently invited to become a fulltime professional gamer in [[Seoul, South Korea]]<ref>[http://www.ggl.com/index.php?controller=News&method=article&id=4822 "recap of Fredrik's career" -]</ref> where competitive gaming is an advanced subculture and many players make a living playing games. During his eleven month stay there he wins the [[Blizzard Entertainment|Blizzard Worldwide Invitational]] and is recognized as the [[ESports Award|world's most successful gamer]]<ref>[http://www.esports-award.org/history/nominees2004/ "Overview nominees and winners of eSports Award 2004" -]</ref>. After his return to Sweden he becomes runner-up of the Electronic Sports World Cup again in 2004, but subsequently loses his motivation for the sport and qualifies for one more event in the 2004 World Cyber Games before retiring a few months later. There is he defeated prematurely and a new European star takes over from him as 16-year old [[Manuel Schenkhuizen]] wins the event.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_3732000/3732680.stm|title=World gaming triumph for UK team|publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|date=2004-10-11|accessdate=2008-07-15}}</ref> |
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Dutchman Schenkhuizen was staying in Seoul at the time and a few months after the event he returns home and remains a dominating player. During this period his in-game race of choice, [[Warcraft_%28series%29#Orcs|Orc]], is considered disadvantaged in competition but he nevertheless is successful, winning the 2005 Electronic Sports World Cup<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/technology/4678203.stm|title=Busy weekend pays off for gamers|publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|date=2005-08-13|accessdate=2008-07-15}}</ref>. He gains the nickname 'Orc Emperor' in televised competition, similar to the nickname 'Terran Emperor' for twofold StarCraft world champion [[Lim Yo-Hwan]] (Boxer). He is considered a favorite to defend his World Cyber Games title at the 2005 global finals in [[Suntec City|Suntec City, Singapore]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4429264.stm|title=Players prepare for game Olympics|publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|date=2005-11-14|accessdate=2008-07-15}}</ref> and cement his name as the best player ever; but is defeated at the event by 20-year old Chinese [[Li Xiaofeng (professional gamer)|Xiaofeng Li]], considered a [[dark horse]] participant. |
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Throughout the next year both players are frequent participants in the same international competitions. Schenkhuizen is successful enough to be honored as the [[eSports Award|Player of the Year]] in all of competitive gaming like Johansson two years before him. The award most important to both players however is that of World Cyber Games champion as the two qualify for the 2006 global finals in [[Monza, Italy]] and meet in the quarter-finals. Winning a second title would mean inclusion in the World Cyber Games Hall of Fame for either of them. This clash is observed by documentary filmmaker Jos de Putter who senses the deep emotions involved in the encounter, not only by the players but also by the spectators.<ref>http://weblogs.hollanddoc.nl/beyondthegame/2008/10/29/an-old-fashioned-duel-in-a-new-world/</ref> |
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Afterwards the filmmaker decides to follow both players on their way to their next World Cyber Games encounter, where one player will try to defend and the other to regain the World Cyber Games title, and portray this new world. To provide insight in the background of the gaming scene and the mind of competitors he also contacts Fredrik Johansson who is developing a new life in Sweden and is now regarded as a legend in the world of competitive gaming. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 16:10, 27 November 2011
| Beyond the Game | |
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| Directed by | Jos de Putter |
| Written by | Jos de Putter |
| Produced by | Wink de Putter |
| Starring | Li Xiaofeng Fredrik Johansson Manuel Schenkhuizen Jang Jae Ho Yoan Merlo |
| Cinematography | Vladas Naudzius Richard van Oosterhout Jackó van 't Hof |
| Edited by | Sander Vos |
| Music by | Paul van Brugge |
Release dates | November, 2008 |
Running time | 75 minutes |
| Country | The Netherlands |
| Languages | Dutch, English, French, Spanish, Swedish, Mandarin & Korean |
Beyond the Game is a 2008 Dutch documentary film about the world of professional video gaming, most notably as related to the game Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne featuring world champion players Chinese Xiaofeng Li (Sky), Dutch Manuel Schenkhuizen (Grubby) and Swede Fredrik Johansson (MaDFroG) prominently. It is directed by award winning Dutch documentary filmmaker Jos de Putter. Filming took place in China, France, The Netherlands, USA and Sweden. Languages spoken in the documentary include Dutch, English, French, Spanish, Swedish, Standard Chinese and Korean.
Beyond the Game is the motto of the World Cyber Games, considered the olympics of gaming, which is central to the documentary as the main characters compete to defend or regain the event's championship title at the global finals of the 2007 World Cyber Games in Seattle, Washington.
It has premiered at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam[1] in Pathé de Munt, and had the cinema premiere in Pathé Tuschinski, and has now been released in cinemas throughout The Netherlands[2].