I like documentaries. Not enough to pick them out on my Netflix queue, but enough that I do not mind watching them in class or running across them on TV. So when my friends Celeste, Andy, and Fred told me they were going to watch the “King of Chinatown” documentary at PAX East, I thought I would tag along.
I am ever happy I did. The documentary by Psycho Crusher Productions caught professional gamer Justin Wong’s journey at an incredible and controversial time.
Admittedly, I am not up to speed on the world of professional gaming. I enjoy watching matches and I know a few names here and there, but that is about it. The last professional gaming event you will see me watching however is a fighting game. I like fighting games, I do, but I love FPS games.
Justin Wong is a well known professional fighting gamer. He has a fantastic record, and an incredible story. The producers first saw him in a regular, old, beat up arcade. The other customers’ reactions to him is what made him stand out: he was God. PCP (Psycho Crusher Productions) saw an opportunity an ran with it. He was soon being filmed, and PCP was pulled into the life of a professional gamer from the elusive, and rather strange, Empire Arcadia.
While the documentary was initially about Justin Wong, it developed into a documentary about the eccentric (is that a good word for him?) figurehead of Empire Arcadia: Triforce. You may remember him recently as the first person who was sold a 3DS. Empire Arcadia can really be described no better than a cult. The pro gamers who are recruited by Triforce live together in an apartment in New York and are expected to use their winning proceeds to help pay the bills. All day, they practice, practice, maybe eat, then practice more. Triforce showed a utility bill in the documentary that amounted to a whopping $1,400.
The film captures the initial trust between Justin Wong and Triforce all the way to the downfall of the relationship between Wong and Empire Arcadia. It is an absolutely captivating tale, and anyone could understand and be touched by Justin’s story whether they know anything about gaming or not. There were a couple of confusing spots, but overall it was a good, typical documentary format. I would not be surprised if “King of Chinatown” is the first to really break through to the rest of the entertainment industry: video gaming is not just for kids anymore. That is, if anyone else gets to watch it.
Currently, PCP is looking for someone to produce their documentary without much luck. They intend on producing it if they are not able to find anybody, however I hope a jewel such as this one does not go unnoticed by the industry. It completely changed my view on professional gaming. If I, a gamer, am saying that, imagine the shock waves the rest of the world would experience.
Overall I give “King of Chinatown” a B. They captured an amazing story; however it missed some points I was curious about, like the full reason that Justin Wong left Empire Arcadia. I was filled in by friends on that point, but it could have been featured better in the film, even if it was interviewing someone other than Justin or Triforce. There were also a few moments of confusion in the beginning, and I was unsure what I was supposed to be thinking about Triforce although it became apparent later on. All in all, I am extremely happy I had the opportunity to see it. They interviewed a lot of the right people and captured a lot of heavy moments. I was definitely rooting for Justin by the end of it.
Take a look at the trailer below and look for their next screening. It is worth it, I promise. For more information, check out their website as well.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INOhG2WlttM&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]