This British series has come to the states with an irreverent sense of humor that is refreshing. Though it lampoons those who dedicate their lives to online games, especially RPGs, it does so lovingly.
This is a show aimed at adults. But the version I am watching is liberally peppered with censoring beeps and pixelations, which is annoying.
Fortunately, the writing is so strong and the acting is so good that it is still a joy to watch. You don't have to be an avid gamer to enjoy the humor, but the more you know about their virtual world the more you can appreciate the inside references, which are abundant.
The three main characters see the real world as mere distractions from their calling, which is to thrive in the virtual world of Kingdom Scrolls, their online addiction.
In one scene, Meg (Alexa Davies) stops to berate a young woman waiting for a bus, because she does not deserve to wear the game-culture paraphernalia she displays. As only someone her age might do, Meg sees the affront as a serious appropriation of virtual cultures. Such "badges" must be earned by being a "slave to the game."
The juxtaposition of people and their avatars, real world and fantasy world, real life and virtual existence is a conceit rife with comic opportunities. "Dead Pixels" does a good job of mining real comedy gold.
