/afk — AWAY FROM KEYBOARD
/afk — AWAY FROM KEYBOARD is a 2011 documentary that follows two brothers through an introspection of their lives in and out (and in again) of the World of Warcraft and a larger look at the online gaming phenomenon and addiction. The DVD cover and promotional postcards were designed to match with the postcards printed on a heavy 18.5-point stock with a satin laminate.
The film screened at The Loft Cinema in Tucson. The director of the film, Greg Stuetze, credited me with art direction on IMDB.
On a personal note.
In grad school, I found solace (ironically) in the WWII first-person shooter game, Medal of Honor, Pacific Assault. I would turn the game on late at night after long study and cram sessions to help clear my head. I was a part of the =EZ= “clan,” a group of people from around the world with whom I would strategize in the game and just chat about everyday things. This occupied my late evening hours on three or four days a week.
Although I was relatively disciplined about it (I knew I needed to get up for work the next day), I can attest to the temptation to just keep on playing, especially when friends and teammates are encouraging you to stay. This film is revelatory in that it highlights how people escape into online video game worlds to various degrees, with some people actually preferring to spend more time in the virtual world than in the real world.
The film is available to watch for free on YouTube:
