Microfilm România

News

Exploring New Storytelling Frontiers: Our First Steps into Video Games
04.04.2025

We’ve always been obsessed with storytelling, with films that challenge perspectives, ask uncomfortable questions, and bring unseen worlds to light. But now, we’re ready to push that further. We’re diving into video games.

Why? Because interactive storytelling is a new frontier for us to explore. Games are more immersive, they reach wider audiences, and they let players experience stories in ways films can’t. To get a better grip on this world, our producer Diana Caravia joined the Film x Games Inspirational Lab at When East Meets West (WEMW) which was a deep dive for film producers looking to transition into game development. This is a snippet from what we learned.

The story isn’t king, gameplay is.
As filmmakers, we obsess over narrative, but in games, the player’s experience matters more than the plot itself. How does the game feel? What choices does the player make? What keeps them engaged for hours? These are the real questions.

Funding is complicated, but possible.
There’s no standardized approach to financing a game. Public grants, private investors, publishers, and work-for-hire contracts all play a role. Navigating this world means thinking beyond traditional film financing and adapting to a more fragmented, fast-moving ecosystem. However, there are some similarities and we can definitely use part of our experience from film financing in this new world.

Co-productions aren’t just for film anymore.
Games are catching up to the film industry in how they’re financed and developed. International co-productions are on the rise, meaning indie developers are teaming up across borders to share funding, expertise, and risk. Just like we do in cinema.

Indies are beating AAA games.
In the past few years, independent games have outperformed big-budget AAA titles in profitability. Why? Creative freedom. While major studios are stuck in massive production pipelines, indies experiment with fresh mechanics and bold storytelling, and audiences are responding. This is what we aim as well!

Marketing is a whole different beast.
Game audiences aren’t passive viewers, but they frequently coagulate in active communities. Players engage through Discord, Twitch, Reddit, and YouTube. Traditional press coverage matters less than streamer culture and player-driven marketing. A game that thrives is one that builds a dedicated player base long before release.

What’s Next?

We’re bringing what we’ve learned into our first steps in game development. Just like our films, our games will hopefully tell stories thatlook into the cracks of history, politics, and human nature – but this time, the audience won’t just watch; they’ll be drawn into the experience, shaping the narrative as they go.

And while we can’t say too much just yet… let’s just say we’re deep in creative development on something that may or may not involve witches, Transylvania, and a world where the past refuses to stay buried.

So, stay with us because things are about to get interesting.