- The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)
- Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
- Playing Hard (2018)
- Game Over: Kasparov and the Machine (2003)
- Minecraft: The Story of Mojang (2012)
- Atari: Game Over (2014)
- The Video Game Revolution (2004)
- The Making of 'Journey' (2013)
- The Art of Playing (2014)
- Blood, Sweat, and Pixels (2018)
Dive into the captivating world of video game creation with this curated list of documentaries. These films offer a unique glimpse into the creative processes, challenges, and triumphs of game developers. Whether you're a gamer, an aspiring developer, or simply curious about the industry, these documentaries provide valuable insights into the art and science of game development.

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters (2007)
Description: While not directly about game development, this documentary explores the competitive world of arcade gaming, highlighting the dedication and obsession that can drive game culture.
Fact: The film has become a cult classic and has inspired numerous memes and references in pop culture.


Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
Description: This film follows the emotional journey of indie game developers as they create their games, showcasing the passion and struggles behind titles like "Super Meat Boy" and "FEZ".
Fact: The film was funded through Kickstarter, one of the first documentaries to do so successfully.


Playing Hard (2018)
Description: This documentary focuses on the development of "Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice", exploring how a small team at Ninja Theory tackled mental health issues in their game.
Fact: The film was praised for its sensitive portrayal of psychosis, a key element in the game's narrative.


Game Over: Kasparov and the Machine (2003)
Description: This documentary delves into the famous chess match between Garry Kasparov and IBM's Deep Blue, exploring themes of AI and human vs. machine, which are central to game development.
Fact: The film includes interviews with Kasparov and key figures from IBM, offering a balanced view of the event.


Minecraft: The Story of Mojang (2012)
Description: Follow the rise of Markus "Notch" Persson and his game Minecraft, from its humble beginnings to becoming a global phenomenon, highlighting the indie game development scene.
Fact: The documentary was released just before Mojang was sold to Microsoft for $


Atari: Game Over (2014)
Description: Uncover the legend of Atari's infamous E.T. game and the company's downfall, providing a historical perspective on game development failures and successes.
Fact: The documentary features the actual excavation of Atari's buried cartridges in New Mexico.


The Video Game Revolution (2004)
Description: This PBS documentary traces the history of video games, from their inception to the early 2000s, offering a broad overview of game development's evolution.
Fact: It includes interviews with industry pioneers like Nolan Bushnell and Shigeru Miyamoto.


The Making of 'Journey' (2013)
Description: Explore the creation of the critically acclaimed game "Journey" by thatgamecompany, focusing on the artistic and emotional aspects of game design.
Fact: The game's soundtrack was composed by Austin Wintory, who was nominated for a Grammy for his work.


The Art of Playing (2014)
Description: This documentary looks at the intersection of art and video games, showcasing how developers are pushing boundaries in narrative and visual design.
Fact: It features interviews with developers from games like "Dear Esther" and "Antichamber".


Blood, Sweat, and Pixels (2018)
Description: Based on the book by Jason Schreier, this documentary series explores the intense development cycles of several video games, offering an insider's look at the industry.
Fact: The series was adapted from Schreier's book, which became a bestseller for its candid portrayal of game development.
