"Sweding -- Re-making something from scratch using whatever you can get your hands on."
The term was developed by director Michael Gondry for his film "Be Kind Rewind." I'm reminded of it because "Be Kind Rewind" hits stores this week on DVD.
I've been wondering what the video game equivalent of sweding is. Is it machinima? Games are conceived, created and executed virtually; it makes sense gamers would respond using those same virtual worlds.
Though I do have a confession. I sweded several games as a kid. I can't believe I'm admitting this in a public venue. Hint: it has to do with "Jet Set Radio" …
I don't remember why my friends and I started making our own videos. This was years before video sharing sites were conceived. There was just something attractive about filming an event with a camera and having the power to alter it with visuals and music. But it also means it's preserved for near all eternity.
We were playing a lot of games at the time, so naturally we decided to start copying -- or sweding -- our favorites. The one I'll share with you now is based on Sega's "Jet Set Radio." If my timeline is right, I was 16 when this was shot.
Hmm. Maybe I shouldn't have shared that. When I showed it to Jason Cipriano, he wasn't very impressed with my rollerblading skills, and neither was his girlfriend. "I'm sure that video would help you get really popular,'" he told me.
Oh well, it's too late now!
Have you sweded something before? If not, what's your favorite game swede?
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