Machinima is the art of directing films inside real‑time 3D worlds — engines, games, and virtual environments where creators puppeteer characters, stage performances, and operate virtual cameras to craft cinematic stories. It transforms engines into stages and avatars into actors, turning simulated worlds into digital theaters. Machinima spans generations of platforms: from classic pioneers like Halo and Second Life, to active, thriving communities built around The Sims 4, GTA V, and VRChat, and into next‑generation engines such as Unreal Engine and the emerging InZOI. Across these worlds, creators blend performance, world‑building, and real‑time cinematography to create stories that feel both crafted and alive.