"I'm really pleased to screen the movie at VGXPO," said Spencer Halpin, the filmmaker behind the work, "and I envision us having a panel discussion with participants from the documentary debating the matter thoroughly."

Controversial Documentary about Video Game Violence Debate to Screen at VGXPO

'Moral Kombat,' First High Definition Feature-length Documentary Debuts in Philadelphia

October 3, 2007 - (Philadelphia, PA) - The much-debated subject of violence in video games is the subject Freshman Director, Spencer Halpin, chose to tackle in his upcoming feature-length documentary, 'Moral Kombat' which is premiering at the VideoGame Expo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on November 3, 2007. The film was the first high-definition documentary shot entirely in HD three years ago using state-of-the-art technology and cutting edge special effects. The content couldn't be a more timely or more appropriate subject matter and is sure to draw strong reactions from both sides of the debate.

'Spencer Halpin's: Moral Kombat' is a probative work that examines interactive entertainment as a medium and seeks to objectively portray the debate in a fair and poignant fashion. It blends masterfully-imposed in-game action and cinematics with compelling testimony from leading figures from the video game industry, legislators, activists and others central to the matter. Though the film itself is not intended to be controversial, it has struck such a chord from those who are pro and anti-games.

"I'm really pleased to screen the movie at VGXPO," said Spencer Halpin, the filmmaker behind the work, "and I envision us having a panel discussion with participants from the documentary debating the matter thoroughly." Referring to the subject of the panel, Halpin went on to state, "the interviewees were so thoughtful and passionate about their perspectives that we just didn't have time to include as much of the dialogue in the final product as I would have liked, which gave me the idea of holding panel discussions; allowing the film to jump to life and the audience to engage in the debate."

Other notable figures from the film who will be attending include: Jack Thompson, one of the most prominent anti-games advocates and central legal figure from the "con" side of the argument. Jack is the mass media's go-to expert on violence video game legislation and has himself authored bills which sought to restrict the sale of "Teen" and "Mature" rated games to minors. Lorne Lanning, perhaps one of the most celebrated game developers and co-founder of Oddworld Inhabitants, is the voice of artistic expression in the film and seeks to show viewers, and now attendees, that games are an art form - no different than music or movies - and therefore deserving of the same protections and respect. Lorne may be best known for his hit, Oddworld: Abe's Oddysse, a multi-award winning title which spawned four sequels. The panel will be moderated by esteemed journalist N'Gai Croal from Newsweek, who also authors a popular game-related blog called Level Up on the Newsweek.com site. N'Gai has also written for The Washington Post, Details Magazine, The Source, Momentum, and Theater Week.

America's VideoGame Expo will take place November 2-4, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. For more information regarding VGXPO, visit us on the web at www.VGXPO.com

From what I had read last year, Moral Kombat, the new documentary by Spencer Halpin, was supposed to be a fair, middle of the road documentary about violence in video games. Watching the trailer makes it crystal clear what side of the never ending war the film maker is on. As, McWhertor noted in his article on the subject, Moral Kombat has high production values, but that doesn't hide the message this film is obviously trying to give.

Gabe and Tycho have done a great strip this week on Penny Arcade on the subject featuring Joe Lieberman and the irrepressible J.T., every gamer's best friend. Once again, the boys hit the nail right on the head and show the "fair" documentary for the giant, bloated, one sided windbag that it is. Flynn De Marco
I See What You Did there [Penny Arcade]
Moral Kombat Trailer

That's not a typo, but the title of the upcoming film (at one point expected to see release in 2005) on video game violence from Spencer Halpin, brother of the Entertainment Consumers Association's Hal Halpin. Despite featuring some very alarmist soundbites—as well as giving The Silver Fox another outlet to deliver his anti-Rockstar speech promising a "Columbine on the factor of 10"—the documentary appears to have very high production values and looks to be a must-watch for those interested in the topic of violence in games. Michael McWhertor

Moral Kombat: Spencer Halpin's Documentary On Game Violence [Mercury News]