I've often wondered what the city of Chicago would look like as the model for an open-world video game environment, because I love cities and video games and sometimes just walking around a metropolis in real life isn't enough. One filmmaker has at least partially answered my curiosities. Phillip Bloom has uploaded a time-lapse video of a three and a half hour boating adventure in and around the city. He and his crew started out moored in Lake Michigan, but quickly traveled around Navy Pier and headed in to the city via the river. The views from the Chicago River especially look awesome and futuristic; the multiple layers of buildings and urban walkways where the river snakes into the city are unlike anything else in this country. The journey ends with sundown and fireworks, like all journeys ought to. I felt like I was playing the boat levels on Half Life 2 throughout the entire three minutes of the video but maybe that's just me. The awesome industrial soundtrack added a great deal to my association. And if you ever forgot just how bright the city gets at night, this video does a great job of documenting the transition from daylight to electric lights. It's gorgeously shot all around and a pleasure for those who love the Windy City. Give it a glance below.

Chicago by boat: A timelapse journey from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.