BROOKFIELD, IL (March 28, 2023) – Year of the Phoenix Productions is leveling up their
documentary project Ghostlord and the Quest for Dark Presence with a Kickstarter campaign running
through April 28th. The film delves into the life of Doc Mack (aka Ghostlord), owner of the largest arcade in
the world, Galloping Ghost Arcade. He has spent nearly three decades working on a video game that he
believes has the potential to supercharge a struggling industry.
Doc Mack is known to the world as an arcade legend, but what lies behind the scenes is an incredible
story of a man who never gave up on his childhood dream. Ghostlord and the Quest for Dark Presence
follows Doc’s journey to create a live-action 2-D digitized fighting game inspired by the original Mortal
Kombat games. Viewers will be transported back to the 90s and early 2000s reminding them of the thrill and
nostalgia of retro gaming.
Back in 1994, armed with a consumer camcorder, an improvised greenscreen and a cast of friends and
family, Doc landed a derelict insurance office to serve as a makeshift filming studio. After 8 days of
furiously filming and breakneck story creation, they had arrived at a game, or had they? His quest to create the game took multiple detours including crooked investors, a mysterious illness, surprise iguanas, a nearly-
assassinated landlord, and multiple reshoots. Beyond the chaos that ensued, this documentary is ultimately a
tribute to never giving up on your dreams, no matter what life throws at you.
“I think this is a very inspiring story. Doc didn’t have the schooling, he didn’t have the connections, he
created his own destiny. He now owns the largest arcade in the world and he’s doing the things he loves
based on determination and passion. It’s hugely inspiring,” said Ghostlord Director, Craig Bass. “Everybody
thinks of Doc Mack as the arcade guy. Doc Mack is the game designer. He’s the arcade guy, too, but at his
core, he is the creator. Nobody really knows that. And now they will.”
From pitching wealthy Texan investors in his bedroom at his parents’ house to being inducted into the
Video Game Hall of Fame, Doc has come a long way. He is endearingly referred to as the Willy Wonka of
the local gaming community, and has helped foster the industry. But the real question is: will Dark Presence ever be completed? Join Ghostlord’s quest, accompanied by a slew of industry legends and luminaries, as we
seek to find out.
Featuring interviews with gaming industry celebrities such as:
Doc Mack – Owner of Galloping Ghost Arcade and influential gaming industry legend
Brian Colin – Creator of Rampage
Jeff Lee – Designer on Q*Bert
George Petro – Former Midway game developer, owner of Play Mechanix
Many of the classic Mortal Kombat cast, including:
Daniel Pesina, John Parrish, Anthony Marquez, Katalin Zamiar
Support Ghostlord and the Quest for Dark Presence on Kickstarter for the next 30 days. In addition to digital
downloads and film merchandise, backers can receive several exclusive rewards, including a test screening
of the film, a film cameo, and a private gaming session with Doc Mack. Reaching their goal of $60,000 USD
will bring Doc’s story one step closer to the big screen.
Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostlordsquest/ghostlord-and-the-quest-for-dark-presence
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2HNhimd4oY
Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3TVXxY8
Website: https://www.ghostlordsquest.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ghostlordsquest
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ghostlordsquest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostlordsquest/
For more information, please contact:
Michelle Maslanka: info@
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