Free to Play

First, let me say that this is an excellent documentary as compiled by Valve. More specifically, this is not your typical documentary you might see about dolphins or fast food. However, FreeToPlay IS a documentary that opens up a new world to viewers who may or may not be familiar with the game of Dota2 and or Esports (Video Game) world.

The movie revolves around 3 professional Dota players - Dendi, Fear, and HYHY, all coming from different cultural backgrounds, albeit sharing the same passion and aspirations for the game. Each of their stories are distinct, yet share similar elements of struggle as each of them go through phases in life battling against the social conventions of having to go to school and the pressures of getting a real job.

FreeToPlay has successfully encapsulated the evolution of the gaming industry and its potential to grow in the years to come, paving the way for young aspiring gamers to consider Esports as a viable and legitimate option as a career. Nevertheless, the movie has also been spot on in sharing the real consequences of sacrifices one has to make to becoming the best, as illustrated by the story told by each individuals life.

All in all, FreeToPlay is an eye opener. An interesting and captivating story to show the world how gaming is not just about the 'fun'. It is more than that, it is, in short about life, competition, dedication, - ESPORTS.

Free to Play follows the story of three pro-gamers who are given the chance to win 1 million dollars from the tournament of the online video game Dota 2. The Ukrainian prodigy Dendi, the American veteran Fear, and the Singaporean talent HyHy.

Right off the bat, this is a beautifully shot and expertly edited documentary. The in game footage itself has been spiced up to fit the drama, and even though you will hear a lot of gaming jargon, it will be very clear as to whose winning or losing in the heat of things.

What I didn't expect, was the amount of emotion Free to Play builds up. You realize that these players have literally given it all to pursue a career in gaming and the pressure is on. Pretty much all three, especially HyHy, have parents who blatantly disprove their career choices and would rather have them studying and pursuing a more stable path. The film does not glamourize E-Sports as a sure fire way to fame and fortune. E-Sports is a high risk, high reward, winner takes all industry and does not guarantee a steady income. How these players deal the pressure from home, and at a tournament at such a young age is truly remarkable. Close to the end, this movie can become a real tear-jerker for the light hearted.

E-Sports is a fast growing industry, and Valve has made a great contribution to promoting it. As for the criticism that Free to Play is just an extended commercial for Dota is very unfair. It is akin to calling 'Senna' an extended commercial for Formula 1. Of course the sport in question will be featured time to time. Free to Play is a look into the human side of this sport and the motivations and challenges of the players. My only real complain is that it is a bit short. I would have loved to see another 20 minutes just to hit the 90 minute mark.

Overall, this is a solid and well made documentary. It is available to watch for free on YouTube and I would recommend playing it in full HD.

I had intended to just watch the opening, after so many people I know were recommending this to me. "I gave it a shot," I was going to say. "It's just not my thing." Minutes later, I was shushing my family so I could hear the movie. I couldn't turn it off until the credits rolled. SO good. Such a fantastic character study of these quite different people, their quite different lives, and their shared dedication to Dota.

I'm not into Dota. Not even a little. I think I played it one time, and didn't enjoy it. I wasn't expecting to enjoy this either. 75 minutes of Dota? Yawn.

But it's not 75 minutes of Dota. In fact, for a documentary about a Dota tournament, there's very little Dota in it. They don't really explain the game much at all, or why certain units were chosen over others. This was 100% fine with me (since, let me stress, I am not into Dota). Instead, it was all about the _players_, and was incredibly compelling.

Who do you cheer for, when you have sympathy for all of them?

What a fascinating movie! Different people, different lifestyles, different languages, different reasons to play, different ambitions, different feelings... Just one game to gather them all. An e-sports movie that can make you cry, smile, proud and so on. In my opinion Dota 2 is UNIQUE. Unique with its quality, players, teams, coaches, casters, fans, community, visuals, tournaments... It has the soul. To win or lose is not the point. Success is something we always look forward to. I clap for these three success stories. The movie is so impressive. Congratulations to everyone has a role to make this movie. My hat goes off to Valve.

Amazing production from valve, a great documentary showing how games are changing life's of several people out there.

The movies fallow's 3 guys, showing all that games and the E-sports market could do for their life's.

A heart touching, beautiful and emotional movie that can be watched by nerds or even the grandpas...

At first, me as a gamer was expecting a OK movie, but the value put in the production was so big, that i really got caught unprepared for this.

And this movie really show things that the population is'nt ready for it yet the new market of athletes with brains, skills, determination and strategy.

Games are there, constructing a new legion of fans that i'll be proud of being part