eSports-based competitions have come a long way over the past few years, gaining immense popularity both online and with live attendees, and drawing in players with multi-million dollar prizes. Now, they’re headed for the movies.

The ESL has teamed up with filmmaker Patrick Creadon to create an original film that documents the popularity of eSports, titled All Work All Play: Full Screen Mode Live. The documentary will feature both top players and personalities in the eSports world, taking a behind-the-scenes look at the growing phenomena of competitive gameplay and tournaments, primarily the Intel Extreme Masters tour, the longest running global pro gaming tour to date.

The film will make its debut on July 23 at the ESL Burbank studio, followed by a Q & A in front of a live studio audience with many of the game players and personalities featured in it. Following that, the film will premiere at the ESL Cologne studio in Germany in July 28, and then make its way to theaters around the world, through a partnership with BY Experience. The project will tie in with an even larger campaign called eSports In Cinema, which should feature more films on the subject.

“I think this documentary is symbolic of how far we’ve come,” said Ralf Reichert, Managing Director of ESL. “When we started out, I dreamt about us filling stadiums, but I never entertained the idea of filling cinemas. Everyone who works with Intel Extreme Masters here at ESL is passionate about eSports and I think this documentary is a testament to that. I’m very excited to see it in the cinema and can guarantee I’ll be the first to buy a ticket.”

“Traveling around the world with Patrick and his crew was a unique experience both for us and for them. People very often don’t understand the amount of work that we do to make events like the Intel Extreme Masters happen, nor what it takes to be a world class gamer,” said Michal Blicharz, Managing Director of Pro Gaming at ESL. “eSports has turned into a massive show and a business, but the people behind it are still passionate hobbyists. I think that’s the story the movie will tell.”

“BY Experience is honored to partner with ESL to create unique live events for cinema audiences globally, starting with the spotlight on the Intel Extreme Masters through All Work All Play,” said Julie Borchard-Young, Co-President of BY Experience. “The documentary is a first in a series of cinema broadcasts that will afford eSports fans an unprecedented opportunity to get together in their communities to enjoy several high-profile events throughout the year, as part of a global shared experience. Cinemas provide the optimal setting for spectators to watch their favorite players and teams compete across an array of gaming titles, broadcast live on a 70 foot cinema screen in surround sound.”

Indeed, this is a bold step forward for eSports, which is bound to continue its success in the years ahead. Here’s hoping more movies capture the experience and give viewers an idea of what it’s really like, warts and all.