From recordings of multiplayer matches to various web series, machinima is a growing trend in animated entertainment. Needing only a video game console, game of choice and a way to record footage, anyone able to edit clips for YouTube is able to create an animated series of their own. The trend started when individuals would record their matches in the video game "Quake" and show them off to their friends online. Once people figured out how to record video game footage, thousands of gamers started using their new skills to create animated shorts and miniseries.

Machinima is not that different from the animated films made in Hollywood. They both use voice actors and CGI, but machinima is created with graphics engines used for video games, which can handle user controls in real time. The movies you see in theaters have a tailor-made engine for scripted sequences, but without any user control support after the film's release. Technically, you could use one with the other as long as the video game console or film editing PC can handle it. Some filmmakers have done such a thing, but only for movies based on video games.

While there are millions of machinima videos online, the majority of them are using first-person shooter games as the setting of their series or short. Quake is still an old-time favorite, but with titles such as Halo, Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto, among others, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creativity. Whether it's nothing but action, comedy, stunts, or even romance, it can be done in a video game environment. Plus, you can even have interaction with computer controlled AI be a part of the entertainment (just like stand-ins). To record voices, you can either dub over scripted animations or record your voice chat while playing multiplayer. Just have the voices played through the speakers when recording and it will record everything off the TV or PC.

There are really two ways to create machinima: using a video game and recording software or avatar animation. The second refers to programs that let you controls avatars to create and records animated shorts for posting on the internet. One such service is Xtranormal.com, which is free to use online and has a desktop program that you can buy downloadable content for feature length movies.

Machinima videos can be found all over the web, especially on YouTube. All you have to do is search for your favorite video game and you're good to go. There are also multiple websites to help you learn how to create your own animated videos as well. Doing it all on the PC seems easier, but many still like to record using their game consoles and TVs to create the movements. All that's needed is dialog, which is up to you to write if you'd like to start making your own. Either way, machinima will be around as long as video games and animated movies are being made.