Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Interesting docu about building an AI to play Dota 2.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Artificial Gamer
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In ARTIFICIAL GAMER, documentary filmmaker Chad Herschberger tells the story of San Francisco AI research and deployment company OpenAI. Co-founded by Greg Brockman, OpenAI takes on the challenge of developing an artificial intelligence to play against humans in the complex online fighting game Dota 2 -- and they only have one year to do it. Over the months, the team describes the processes, challenges, and setbacks involved in the multi-layered game, but none of them are quite ready for the ultimate showdown, which is set for the annual Dota 2 competition known as The International, in an arena filled with passionate fans. Can the team change the course of history?
Is It Any Good?
It would likely help to be either a tech expert or a passionate player of Dota 2 -- or both -- to fully appreciate this dense, quickly paced documentary. But even if you're not, it will still likely hold your attention. Artificial Gamer starts with a little history, showing how computers have been created over the past several decades to beat Tic-Tac-Toe, Pong, Checkers, Backgammon, Chess, and even the TV game show Jeopardy. (Although, isn't that last one cheating a bit? Wouldn't a computer simply be able to Google all the answers?) The film tries to explain the levels of complexity that exist in Dota 2, but images of the game -- which looks like a normal fighting game -- don't really fully convey that aspect.
Nonetheless, you definitely get the idea that the OpenAI team is up for a real challenge. Occasionally there's an impressive tidbit or factoid like the fact that thousands of computers were set up so that the AI could play 180 years' worth of Dota 2 each day. The team members are all pretty lovable characters (even the one whose nickname is "Psycho"). And the final act at The International is admittedly pretty exciting, with the lights, the crowd, and the enthusiastic announcers; the OpenAI team seems swept away by it all, in awe of the show and aware that there's more at stake than they had imagined. Since Artificial Gamer tends to move a little quickly, it comes out feeling somewhat inconsequential, but it's still worth a look.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Artificial Gamer's violence. How much video game fighting is seen? Does exposure to video game violence make kids more aggressive?
Who were you rooting for to win The International -- the humans or the AI? Why?
Are documentaries obligated to be accessible for all audiences, or is it OK to play to a specific audience? Why?
Does the movie model teamwork in any way? If so, how?
How is diversity showcased in the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 29, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : October 29, 2021
- Cast : Greg Brockman , Susan Zhang , Przemyslaw Debiak
- Director : Chad Herschberger
- Studios : Milkhaus , North of Paradise
- Genre : Documentary
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : August 22, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate