Gaming takes on many forms in the 21st century
When it comes to entertainment media in the 21st century, few can compete with the likes of cinema. That is, of course, except for games, which continue to gain popularity in a number of forms around the world. The two industries have become so popular that occasionally the two cross – with games developers creating console and PC titles based on hit movies, while movies occasionally focus on the world of gaming.
It is the latter that we will be focusing on today, by finding films that will appeal to gamers most depending on their favourite gaming genre, from MMOs to poker to FPS and beyond.
Movies For MMO Players
Otherwise known as Massively Multiplayer Online Games, MMOs are gaming platforms that support huge numbers of players. Usually, MMO titles feature an open world map that can be accessed through consoles, PC and, more recently, smartphones. Some of the most popular MMOs right now are, arguably, World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV and Guild Wars 2. Here are just some movies that we recommend for MMO players:
Cube (1997)
If you’re a fan of discovering lesser-known films, particularly those in the sci-fi genre, Cube is absolutely the flick for you. This sci-fi/thriller focuses on a group of strangers who awaken inside a massive prison made up of interlocking cube rooms. There is no explanation as to why they have been put inside the prison, and it soon becomes clear that leaving is more difficult than anyone could have imagined as each room contains horrific traps, turning the strangers’ escapes into a deadly game. This movie reminds us of quite a few games, Pick-up-Games (PUGs) specifically, where strangers must work together to clear dungeons.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
Though the overly quirky nature of this film isn’t for everyone, there’s no denying that Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is essentially a love letter to gamers around the world. Scott Pilgrim must defeat the various exes of his new love interest Ramona Flowers to be given the all-clear to date her. Each and every battle has elements from a typical game such as scores, level ups and stats, while Scott’s everyday life occasionally gets a bit of “gamification”. The most interesting thing about this film is that it may very well represent the future of MMOs, when real-life and gameplay become more integrated.
Flicks For Gamblers
For a long time, gambling took place in brick-and-mortar casinos or in homes, allowing players to socialize, entertain each other and hone their skills. Over the last two decades though, gambling has become more popular than ever due to the introduction of the internet. Now, iGaming platforms such as online casinos and poker rooms allow players to play their favourite games – be it poker, blackjack, slots – anytime, anywhere. Still, real-world gambling hasn’t been abandoned, in fact there are live streaming sites such as Twitch that host professional poker tournaments for thousands of fans around the world to watch. Seasoned Texas Hold’em pros such as Jason Somerville and Jaime Staples as well as others, who have made a name for themselves on online poker rooms, such as Talbot, all broadcast on Twitch, explaining their strategy when it comes to hitting or standing, upping the ante and more. Needless to say, poker and gambling overall remain a popular gaming genre, so it’s only fair we include movies these players would like. After all, Twitch has proven these games already have an audience.
Molly’s Game (2017)
By far the most recent movie on our films for gamers list, Molly’s Game explores the real life of Olympic-class skier Molly Bloom, who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker tournaments in the world for a decade. Her clients included Hollywood stars, athletes, politicians, business tycoons and plenty of other notable celebrities. We don’t want to give too much away as it’s too new to risk any spoilers, but we imagine anyone who partakes in poker tournaments – either online or offline – will thoroughly enjoy this flick.
Rounders (1998)
From the newest poker movie, we go to what is often celebrated as the best poker movie of all time. Rounders, which stars Matt Damon and Edward Norton, follows two pals as they endeavour to win a high-stakes poker game in order to pay off a substantial debt. Though the film received mixed reviews when it was released, it has aged well over time and has actually become more relevant after the poker boom of 2003 and the spread of online poker, as the world of gambling has become more prevalent.
Films For FPS Gamers
First-Person shooters are the absolute favourite genre for gamers who love guns, tactics and war scenarios. While in the early days of gaming, FPS games tended to focus on real-world battles, now the genre is far vaster, with titles like Overwatch. Fortunately, there are plenty of movies that feature these elements! Here are just a couple to try out if you’re an FPS fanatic:
Zulu (1964)
There are plenty of war movies out there these days, but none has managed to make a gun more important than the 1964 movie Zulu. Focusing on the defence of Rorke’s Drift throughout the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879, Zulu is a dramatic, realistic reenactment and possibly the basis for numerous FPS arenas and scenarios. For anyone who feels even slightly detached from the act of shooting your digital enemies, Zulu will be a real eye-opener, and may even help you with your tactics.
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
It’s true that most good shooter movies were made during the 20th century, but there are some great exceptions. One such exception is Enemy at the Gates, a World War II epic that features a battle between Soviet and German snipers. Anyone who enjoys playing Call of Duty will appreciate this movie, as it deals with the life of snipers in a number of ways.
To The Pictures For Puzzlers
Finally, we thought it would be best to also include movies for gamers who enjoy playing puzzle games, as these are becoming increasingly popular in the world of mobile gaming. Now, there aren’t really any movies that focus on this gaming genre specifically, but there are dozens of great flicks that have incredible mysteries the viewer has to solve. Here are some for you to watch:
Twelve Monkeys (1995)
We all love the Die Hard franchise, but when it comes to mystery thrillers, Bruce Willis gives it his all. In Twelve Monkeys we begin in a post-apocalyptic dystopian world, before following Bruce Willis’ character back to our modern times. Willis is tasked with eradicating a virus that wiped out a great chunk of the human population, but who is the culprit responsible for societies end? Well, you’ll just have the follow the twelve monkeys to find out.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Usually, Jim Carrey tends to appear in movies full of hilarious shenanigans and general tomfoolery, but in Eternal Sunshine, he is decidedly more solemn. Alongside Kate Winslet, Carrey must navigate through a relationship in a world where erasing memories is an everyday routine. With every scene, this film asks the viewer to figure out the answer to another question, few of which are answered until the very end.
There are plenty of other movies and television shows out there that would fit the gaming genres we’ve mentioned above, so if there are any you would highly recommend please let us know in the comments below.