At a video-game arcade in 1982 with his friend Will Cooper, 13-year-old Sam Brenner discovers he can master the games by spotting patterns. Participating in a video-game championship, he loses in a match with obnoxious arcade player Eddie "Fireblaster" Plant in ''Donkey Kong (video game)''. A videocassette with footage of the event is included in a time capsule that is launched into space.