New series explores the most interesting virtual worlds of the past 40 years
FEB 9, 2021 — Means TV’s new original series, Preserving Worlds, explores obscure, defunct and dying virtual worlds.
Preserving Worlds is a 6-episode travelogue that takes you through some of the most interesting and impactful online games and communities of the past 40 years.
Featuring WorldsChat, Second Life, NeoHabitat, ZZT, Myst Online, and Doom.
Along the way, viewers meet people who are working against obsolescence to keep the communities they care about alive and accessible.
The two creators, Mitchell Zemil and Derek Murphy, are tackling this project not just as a preservation effort for historians, but to make a show that’s entertaining for viewers today, many who might not know these worlds even existed.
“These video games and chat environments are at extreme preservation risk — they could shut down at any moment, and once they do, they may never be revived,” says Derek Murphy.
“These worlds mean a lot to their visitors — a place to explore, a way to connect with people when you can’t leave the house, a creative outlet, and importantly, a way to explore your identity free of judgement,” Murphy added.
Mitchell Zemil added, “These virtual worlds often reflect the problems we face in the real world, in both hilarious and terrifying ways. As it turns out, Capitalism can often feel like an archaic, dying video game. Working with Means TV means we can confront and openly explore these real world parallels, rather than tone down or ignore them.”
Derek Murphy and Mitchell Zemil are also the filmmakers behind Sarasota Half in Dream.
The series premiered worldwide on Means TV on Feb. 9, 2021.
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Entirely funded by subscribers. No advertisers. No VC cash.
Means TV makes entertainment for the 99%. http//:means.tv
