Nobody is more passionate than fans of the imaginative genres. Every year, they crowd conventions to revel in their mutual loves, to commune with other members of the tribe who get what its all about. For some, it is an escape. For others, it is spice of life. No matter the reason, though, and no matter the fandom, theirs is a full throated celebration of stories, of possibilities. No one exemplifies this more than gamers, either. For them, celebrating the imaginative genres isn't just a matter of spectating, watching or reading stories of others. They get to tell their own stories in their various worlds. Not that gamers aren't invested in other fandoms. Oh, you bet they are and their passion goes soul deep with them, too.
Perhaps you need evidence about this gamer tribe and what they are about. This movie is a passport to that world. All the gamer movies are a celebration, but this film makes the point of breaking beyond the holy cloister of the role-playing table top and not only touches on other game genres, but addresses other fandoms, especially the passionate fan of a beloved TV series that died too soon, leaving a hole in the hearts of tragically obsessed fans. Yes, there is a bittersweet Browncoat shoutout in there, you'll see it when it happens.
But anyway, the story is this group of roleplayers who have been featured in all three Gamers films. A veteran crew of roleplayers, including Kevin Lodge (also Osric the Paladin), Joanna (Daphne the Fighter), Gary Wombah (Luster the White Sorceress), Leo "Davinci" Lamb (Flynn the Fine, a Bard) are being distracted by life and having trouble focusing on the campaign. Another of their compatriots, Sean "Cass" Cassidy (Brother Silence, a Monk) has fixated upon Natalie, a feisty, sarcasting redhead who has entered their game store haunt with the horde of other collectible card gamers. So, to try to impress her, Cass enters that weekends card flopping tourney. He loses badly. But it turns out that Leo, owner of this game store, is also a veteran player of this storytelling game. He has been out of it for years, but feels for his friend and decides to help him in his quest to woo this lady gamer. He helps him in a deck build, supplies him with some useful cards and begins schooling him, Morpheus-style, in how to win this game and potentially, a date with Natalie. As Cass sets forth on his quest, he begins swimming the treacherous waters of this game's fanbase and begins to find out what he really wants and why.
There are a few side stories, too, most notably that of Gary, who fixates upon a paid con mascot wearing a the costume of a character from a show he blames for cancelling another show beloved and remembered by fans who are still heartbroken and bitter. In Gary's case, he is becoming a bit unhinged and may be in need of a particular intervention. But in his efforts, and in his demonstrations of his rememberances, he speaks to heartbroken fans from all walks.
You know who you are.
Fan passion, that is what this is all about. And if you are fan, especially a Gamer fan, this is a must-watch.
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