The New Zealand fantasy-comedy web series AFK (Away From Keyboard) imagines what would happen when gamers of a fictional MMOG (massively multiplayer online game) find themselves magically transported inside the world of the game, inhabiting the gender-swapped bodies of the characters they created.

Created by Peter Haynes, AFK was inspired by his addiction to the popular, real-world MMOG World Of Warcraft - a game that served as inspiration for another web series, the cult hit The Guild.

While The Guild followed a group of gamers as they forged relationships amongst themselves outside of gaming, AFK takes the inverse approach and imagines what would happen if gamers had to navigate the fantastical world of their game made very real.

As of this writing, the pilot episode (the first two series episodes conflated) is now available with 11 other installments set for weekly release.

Watch the pilot double episode here ...

I found the pilot episode extremely promising due to its self-referential, comedic tone certain to be popular with gamers. Also, the overall production value is very impressive.

The cast give solid performances. The makeup and costume designs are outstanding too.

However, the unspoken character of the project is definitely its setting.

The scenic backdrops are courtesy of filming in magnificent New Zealand. The country's gorgeous vistas seem otherworldly in their beauty.

These vistas are perfect stand-ins for the mysterious fantasy realm our protagonists must learn to negotiate in order to survive; while they unravel the mystery behind their predicament.

To watch all current episodes of AFK, visit its official channel on YouTube: AFKWebSeries On YouTube.

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