It's no secret that here at Netto's Game Room, we are focused on video games. We play them, we discuss them, and they are a huge part of all of our lives! As strange as this may sound though, did you know there was a time when video games almost vanished from the world?
Just think about it: Where would we be today if that had happened? If the gaming industry never continued? None of us would even be thinking about games. The gaming communities many of us have come to know and love wouldn't exist, and all those friends you've met from playing games? You most likely would have never gotten to know them. Our world would be vastly different, and each of our lives would have been greatly altered.
But here's the thing: The "rebirth" of video games isn't what changed the world as some of you might think. Nintendo didn't just swoop in, make ROB, and start a new craze; they actually just revived something that emerged from a much longer and deeper struggle. A struggle that started long before the world-famous Pac-Man hit arcades, and even before the game we all know as Pong captured the attention of the world.
This is a story that has been forgotten by many, and one that has never fully been told. That is, until now!
The Beginning of Video Games:
World 1-1 is a video game documentary that takes us back to the roots—the very beginning of the video game industry. Rather than speedrunning the early days of gaming to reach the more modern world of today, it takes the time to tell the complete story of everything that happened to lead us here. It tells the story of the people to whom we truly owe this industry, and if it weren't for these individuals and the challenges they overcame, the video game rebirth would never have even had a chance to happen. In fact, even the computer industry as a whole would have been vastly different!
You may not realize it, but the connection video games and computers shared greatly changed our world. The smartphones you rely on each day, the tablets, and even the PC you may be using to read this review—all of these electronics can be traced back to the roots of gaming. That can be quite shocking, especially for those of you who may even look down on games.
This topic in particular is just one of the many pieces of information World 1-1 covers, and it only gets more interesting from there. Still, with that being said, I want to make this very clear before continuing with this review: it's important to keep in mind that World 1-1 is a full-fledged documentary. Because of that, it's not something we can definitively tell you to watch or to avoid. When it comes down to it, it all depends on your personal interests, if you like documentaries, and if you want to learn more about the topic. If you're someone who has no interest in computers or games, then this movie most likely won't resonate with you at all. On the other hand, if you're someone who does care about the history of things, you might just find yourself enjoying it anyway. That's just the nature of documentaries in general, and it's no different with World 1-1.
Documentaries are a great source of information, allowing those new to a topic to learn something, and those already knowledgeable to deepen their understanding. World 1-1 does both perfectly, making it easily enjoyable for all viewers. If you're someone who knows nothing about the industry (or possibly even dislikes video games), this film will not only educate you but might also give you a newfound respect for the market and the individuals involved. The film gets very personal, truly connecting viewers with its subjects—so much so that it becomes hard not to like these people and commend them for what they've accomplished. This approach is something more documentaries should strive for (if possible, of course), and it makes World 1-1 much more enjoyable.
For those of you already familiar with this era, World 1-1 again gets very personal, covering many things you couldn't possibly know unless you were there yourself. Hearing the personal stories behind each major event in gaming and each major game release is easily one of the film's best aspects, and where much new knowledge will come from. For example, listening to the story of how Donkey Kong was ported from the arcades, and the reasons behind it being only two levels long, truly makes you see the game and its shortcomings in a new light. Then there's also the story about the working conditions at Atari, which will likely bring a knowing smile to your face. It's inside stories such as these that truly pull you in, presenting the very same events you may already know about in a different way. Of course, there are many more interesting stories covered in World 1-1, but we wouldn't want to spoil them for you—you'll just have to watch it for yourself and see.
So, you might be wondering: How much does World 1-1 really cover? Is it like those other video game documentaries that quickly jump from subject to subject just to fit everything into a half-hour? Or is it truly that much deeper? We asked ourselves these same questions back when this film was just a dream on a newly launched Kickstarter page, and we were pleasantly surprised. While we had a general idea of what to expect, watching it finally confirmed and even surpassed our expectations. As mentioned, this film covers nearly everything from the early days of gaming, and it does so remarkably well. It doesn't rush things like other video game documentaries often do. Instead, it takes the time to delve into each event with great detail. Alongside the personal stories, every event is thoroughly explained and presented in an orderly manner. By the time World 1-1 is over, you'll feel as if you've lived through that era (or possibly relived it), which is a fantastic feeling.
Should you watch it?
Now with all of this being said, is World 1-1 worth watching? Again, this isn't something we can definitively tell you to do. However, if you're the type of person who enjoys documentaries (even if you dislike video games), or if you're someone who loves video games and wants to learn more about their history, then it's a definite yes. The film is a little over two hours long and packed full of information. The personal stories are engaging, and I personally learned a lot from watching it.
I truly owe it to Jeanette and Daryl (the two behind this film), as I most likely would have never learned about this history on my own! Many of these inside stories are simply never talked about today, and they did a great job bringing it all to light.
For those of you who may not like documentaries (or even despise them), I still recommend you give this one a chance if the opportunity ever arises. It might not change your thoughts on documentaries in general, but I genuinely feel this one is worth sticking it out for.
World 1-1 is a great film, and I personally can't wait to see the follow-up. This is just the first in a series, so more great things are sure to come over the following years. Good job, you two. Keep up the great work.
On another note, I'd like to thank both Jeanette & Daryl for providing me with a free early copy of the movie to review. You two really are awesome!
VERDICT: Recommended
Review Copy was Provided
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