Role players get their day in the sun in this entertaining study of a group of Baltimore residents who devote all their spare time to “Darkon,” a complicated three-dimensional game that takes place in an imaginary realm consisting of warring lands. The participants include a range of disaffected individuals: a man who was kicked out of his family business; a single mom who lives with her parents; and an ex-soldier who prefers the fake combat and more easily resolved battles of Darkon. Filmmakers Luke Meyer and Andrew Neel seem to have taken a leaf or two from Errol Morris’ playbook, and though Darkon doesn’t quite reach Gates of Heaven’s sublime level of profundity and absurdity, Darkon is a fascinating look at an all-consuming hobby, one that’s refreshingly old-fashioned in this era of virtual and cyber gaming.

Shelf Talk: A natural for anyone involved in any level of gaming or “RP” activity, Darkon will be embraced by old-school Dungeons & Dragons players as well as those who enjoy Rock Band and the Wii. The film also has acquired a high-profile through a limited theatrical run last fall, successful plays at such hip film fests as SXSW and airings on IFC (which co-produced).