machinima
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WoW Moviewatch: Pally Rangers
Not every paladin has the right stuff. True, paladins are generally very cool. You know, bubbles, laying on of hands, and flashes of lights. The standard stuff. But from time to time, an evil arises so deep, dark, and terrifying that you need something special. Not any old paladin will do. You need the Pally Rangers. This video is about 5 years old, which means that kids born when it came out are now in kindergarten. Let that fact sink in while you take the time to ride this nostalgia train and enjoy some truly awesome machinima. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: Sentinel
Sentinel is one heck of an impressive music video created by Turel and Khayllys. It involves some incredible music and absolutely breathtaking animation. The video was intended as a thank you to the community that has inspired Turel, so I don't think I'm wrong when I say there are more than a few cameos in the video. You don't see many videos with this kind of quality these days. While the tunes won't be to everyone's liking (kids and their dubby steppy!), you just won't be able to deny that talent that seeps through Sentinel's pores. Take the time to check it out and let us know what you think! Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: Back to Wrath
We're running out of expansions of yore for Slightly Impressive to visit. Back to Wrath is probably the best of what we've seen so far, though. After all, what was that entire expansion about if not foggy breath effects? Griff dates himself as beginning play in WotLK, and pleasantly gives a shout out to Back to the Future. Do you remember how every other character was a death knight? It seemed like everyone was either a death knight or a hunter. This video was decent, but it could have used a little more commentary about the game. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: Elven Death - Twilight Dreams
This is the third episode in the Elven Death series, which calls itself a saga. I'm pretty supportive of the ongoing attempt to create more narrative machinima, especially based on a series of adventures. The animation is a little rough, but that's easily forgiven since it was nearly all filmed from in-game footage. You have to start somewhere, after all, and there's always room for one more story in our expansive fandom. That being said, join me over here at camera 2. That opening font? The one that's not quite comic sans, but is a near cousin in the sans serif family? It's time to let that font go. It doesn't really set up an epic sage of Azeroth adventure as much as funny cat videos. I see where you're coming from with it, but try something in a nice, stately serif font. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewach: Catching a Beauty
Catching a Beauty is a short, lovely movie. While there's not much story or narration happening in the video, it's a wonderful minute and a half of zen. It boils down to what you'd expect -- fishing -- but it takes you through a pleasant, relaxing landscape to get there. It's the first video I've seen from Slap the Fish movies, and it's one heck of a freshman effort. They used the Free Far Sight tool to create it, so if you're looking to get started with machinima, you might want to follow suit. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: Elegy
Elegy is the newest machinima by PallyPowerXIX, who coincidentally is a regular on this site. It's a moody retelling of some of WoW's greatest moments, though it helps to know the lore behind Jaina and Arthas to really get it. I think that would be the most notable criticism of the movie: you need to know the story to get the story. Then again, most machinima viewers would be plenty aware of the lore, so it's not like that's a significant drawback. The music! The music in this video was outstanding. The aesthetic is considerably different from what we usually see during machinima videos, and I liked that somber but raucous feel the music selection brought. The animation fit it perfectly. All in all, Elegy was some pretty good stuff. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: Where are they now? Darion Mograine
As you've been busily stomping on sha and bringing down vile red despots, have you ever stopped to wonder: where are the death knights in all this? Sure, plenty of player death knights are on the raid, collecting boar livers, and doing dailies. But what's the big NPC folks been doing? Not for nothing, but Mograine might have been helpful in that final epic battle. Mooclucking and Nixxiom tackle this troubling absence in Where are they now? Darion Mograine. When they went looking into the missing leader, nothing could have prepared them for what they found. The shocking answer will surprise you. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: Flappy Mounts
While I'm not sure World of Warcraft really needs this kind of feature, but I guess Ian Beckman thinks so. After all, what would add to the addictive nature of Azeroth like Flappy Mounts? I think what's more impressive than just the idea is how well Beckman translated the game into this machinima. This is actually a fairly convincing version of Flappy Bird, and would probably be a lot more fun than the dozens of rip-offs in the app stores. I guess if I'm going to play something derivative of the original game, I'd want to play it in WoW. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
Warner Bros invests $18 million in Machinima
As the journal of Wall Street foretold, Machinima has received $18 million in funding from Warner Bros. Gamasutra reports WB's executive vice president of strategy and biz development Thomas Gewecke said Machinima was a "pioneer and category leader" on YouTube and that Warner is "impressed with Machinima as a distribution partner." Multi-channel YouTube platform Machinima received $35 million from Google in 2012, but has struggled to find stability. The obvious current synergy between Machinima and WB is the publisher's big play for the esports demographic with its Infinite Crisis MOBA.
WoW Moviewatch: Back to BC
Last week, Grifter took an exciting trip back in time to visit the days of vanilla. This week, Slightly Impressive returns to the wild world of retro-gaming by visiting Outland. And, of course, our noble adventurer immediately runs into trouble when he goes Back to BC. I think it was well and proper that raid attunements were immediately mocked, though I was gratified to see the Fel Reaver laid low. Even though it doesn't quite feel right. I mean. The Fel Reaver should always be terrifying, even when we're level 200. Right? Okay, so it was still funny. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: Being a Noob vs. Being a Pro
The master of game-based sardonic humor returns with Being a Noob vs. Being a Pro. Plenty of differences highlight the essential natures of new player and pro player, and Wowcrendor casts a critical eye on both. The most painful moments probably have to do with playing a Night Elf Hunter. I'll admit; I was that guy. I played that character for years, and I still look back on it with bemused shame. Don't get me wrong. Things are far better balanced now. But a decade ago, the nelf hunter seemed like the obvious choice for any newb coming or going. Well played, Mr. Crendor. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: The Epic Split
Plenty of videos featuring Chuck Norris and Jean Claude have circulated the word, showing off the ability of action heroes to do an amazing leg split. But none of those videos featured the World of Warcraft, or the most physically abused races of Azeroth. TauriMovie's The Epic Split sets that right. Make sure you watch it all the way through. The story's about more than just a gnome's ability to keep his balance. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: The Caped Crusader of Stormwind
This isn't the machinima we deserve, but it's the machinima we need right now. Cloaked in the darkness and fear, armed with the knowledge that criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot, The Caped Crusader of Stormwind is bringing a whole new level of justice to Stormwind. Frankly, this video has everything I could have possibly wanted. Thanks to Rainy Robot Studios for such a sublime creation. May the dark gnome be with you! Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: The Assassin
The Assassin has been around for a while, making it nearly criminal that we've not featured it before now. With a powerful, cohesive story, gorgeous music, and some truly jaw-dropping imagery, this is probably one of the finest machinima I've ever seen. It especially finds its power with convincing fight choreography, second only to BLIND for being some of the best we've ever seen. The mix of modern and fantasy architecture gives The Assassin a unique feel, and it would be interesting to find out more about the world. Ultimately, though, DTB created a spectacular movie, and you should take the time to watch it. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: Back to Vanilla
I'm not sure if Doc Brown would approve, but Slightly Impressive traveled in time to visit the fabled world of the past, going Back to Vanilla. The legend and stories of this mythical time inspired the intrepid explorer to talk to the natives and test the truth of their inimitable skill and unmatched knowledge. I especially liked the subtle critiques of our rose-colored glasses, the overhyped claims of leveling difficulty, and the infinite hypothesis that raids that were so much better. I enjoyed this story and I hope to see Slightly Impressive do a few more sequels. We definitely need a McFly reference, though. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: Lie
SimTgirl produces some incredible visuals in her video, and Lie is no exception. I'm not in love with the song, though it isn't bad, but SimTgirl managed to drag out some shockingly emotional moments and convincing narrative in the video. I especially liked the home video effect, which settled realistically into the overall piece. The biggest drawback in this video is the font, lettering, and spelling. I get where the lyrical accompaniment was going, but some brutal editing was needed in a few places. Overall, Lie was good, but spelling words wrong can be disastrous to the final effect. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WSJ: Warner Bros. eyeing Machinima for investment opportunity
Warner Bros. is considering an investment in Machinima of $10-15 million, reports the Wall Street Journal. Machinima, a multi-channel YouTube platform, received $35 million from Google in the past, but according to AllThingsD, was unable to secure a mega-round of $70 million last year and is still looking for a new CEO. We've reported on binge and purge layoffs at the company for the past two years. Warner's obvious synergistic interest in the network would be to help promote its Infinite Crisis MOBA, which is the publisher's big play for the esports demographic. Machinima claims it has over 200 million unique visitors every month.
WoW Moviewatch: ABATAP
This is more than just a movie we wanted to be made. It was a movie that had to be made. ABATAP is an Azerothian remake of Avatar, featuring all the blue-skinned trolls you could ever want. Somewhere between an epic remake of an awesome movie and a giggle-worthy parody of Azeroth's environmental issues, this might be the finest thing I've seen the week. Take some time, check it out, and let us know what you think! Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: Seed of Hate: A Warrior's Tale
Seed of Hate: A Warrior's Tale is a machinima created by Kenneth Clark to tell the story of his game character. Fan films like this are at once some of the finest things to come out of World of Warcraft but also the most difficult to pull off. It's easy to fall into self-aggrandizement, and you usually have to rely on art and technical skill to grant gravitas to the whole thing. Clark seems to be treading that water nicely. This trailer promises visuals and narrative motion, as well as just enough back story to hope the full version will actually have something to say. All in all, the trailer looks pretty good, and we can hope the final comes to solid fruition. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
WoW Moviewatch: The Fall of Gnomeregan
This is a mindblowing tour of the The Fall of Gnomeregan, with a strong flair for storytelling, eye-popping graphics, and a smooth, riveting soundtrack. This is one of those rare, story-based machinimas we just don't see very often. I'll let Harmon Productions describe the work: This is a Machinima/Animated retelling of my first ever Machinima video "Plight of the Gnomes" with Gnomeregan and most WoW assets converted into Source Filmmaker and rendered there besides some spots composited in. A huge chunk of the work was getting Gnomeregan and other things into the engine and making it look as best as possible, and despite some weirdness here and there I think it's a success. If you take the time to watch this video, I think you'll agree with Harmon. It really is an amazing piece, and probably one of the best you'll see for a while. Interested in the wide world of machinima? We have new movies every weekday here on WoW Moviewatch! Have suggestions for machinima we ought to feature? Toss us an email at moviewatch@wowinsider.com.
