Like rap music, video games have gone from a niche interest to a mainstream cultural phenomenon. So mainstream, in fact, it’s now possible to see its influences in TV and film – even if it’s still underrepresented.
The ubiquity of the PS Voucher and its facilitation of the PS Plus subscription service shows that even the economics of the two industries are coming together. While that may hint at what multi-model future that is to come, this article looks back on five shows that reflect the spirit of gaming.
Dead Pixels, 2019-2021
This British comedy series follows three close friends who are utterly consumed by an MMORPG called Kingdom Scrolls. The comedy shows gaming’s impact on their social lives in an honest (and still relevant, seeing as it’s relatively new) way. Two of the friends, Meg and Nicky, neglect nearly everything in their lives to play Kingdom Scrolls—they don’t date, rarely eat out and view work as merely a distraction from gaming. The show renders the fantasy world in impressive detail, and critics praised Dead Pixels for its genuinely funny writing, even if it doesn’t particularly show gaming in a good light.
Arcane, 2021-present
This is a stunning animated series based on the popular game League of Legends. It’s accomplished something quite remarkable—it’s beloved by both dedicated gamers and those who’ve never touched a controller. This isn’t a niche, low-budget attempt at a gaming show, it’s an animated masterpiece with incredible stylistic choices.
The show explores themes of class division, loyalty, betrayal, along with technological progress, all whilst two sisters are caught between warring cities.
GamesMaster, 1992-present
This was Britain’s first TV programme dedicated to video games. GamesMaster holds a special place in UK gaming culture, and you’ve likely already heard of it. The original series ran on Channel 4 until 1998, and the format was to mix game reviews, features and tips, but they centred around competitive challenges.
Dominik Diamond hosted six of the seven original series. The show’s competitive challenges were its big selling point. This is where average players and celebrities competed for the coveted Golden Joystick trophy. After a 23-year absence, it triumphantly returned in 2021 with a new incarnation on E4.
The Last of Us, 2023-present
HBO’s adaptation of Naughty Dog’s quickly became critically acclaimed. The post-apocalyptic video game came across perfectly on screen, with fantastic visual storytelling in a stunning yet eerily desolate world. The series scored highly on review sites, even if certain pockets of fandom had some issues with it. Overall, it showed how video games can be so good, that they form a plot worthy of adaptation.
High Score, 2020
This Netflix documentary is a series that shows a journey through video game history. It features interviews with many pioneering developers, and is even narrated by Charles Martinet (the voice of Mario). High Score goes through gaming’s evolution from arcade cabinets to home consoles through some touching personal stories rather than dry explanations. The point of the show isn’t only to celebrate gaming’s cultural impact, but to look at the contributors behind the scenes – those that rarely get coverage for their contributions.
The increase in TV shows – both dramas and documentaries – highlights the growing cultural impact of video games. Beyond simply shining a light on games and those who are interested in it, it’s clear that gaming plots are being recognised for the high art form that they are.
