Problem

Our client required Magic Media to build The Goombles from the ground up through our full-cycle game development services and to create marketing materials with our video production services. Our services included initial conceptualization, programming, design, art, testing, and more. On the video marketing side, we were tasked with creating a main game trailer, three distinct user acquisition advertisements, banners, and a series of cinemagraphs.

Solution

At the beginning of our work, we spent ample time communicating with our client to understand their vision and requirements as best as possible. We delivered our full-cycle development services over six months approximately, taking The Goombles from an idea to a fully realized game using Unity as our game engine. In the initial phase of the project, we developed creative concepts and prototypes before entering into fully-fledged game development work. In the final months of the project, we dedicated ourselves to ensuring The Goombles was optimized for each of its target platforms and was as bug-free as possible.

We began our video production services work while The Goombles’ principal development was underway. This provided us with a distinct advantage in using some of the game’s in-game assets for our video content. We produced all of this content over six weeks and included several in-game assets, edited assets, and custom environments for our trailers and advertisements to showcase the core elements of The Goombles and attract players.

Throughout this whole process, we kept in constant contact with our client to provide updates, and deliverables, and discuss The Goombles. They were extremely receptive to our expert recommendations and helped shape this process into a truly collaborative one.

Result

Our client was highly satisfied with our work on The Goombles, so much so that the game was presented to potential investors. This is a true testament to the high-quality full-cycle game development services and video production services we delivered for the project and our client’s confidence in the caliber of our work. We couldn’t be happier with the quality of our work and more pleased with how we exceeded our client’s expectations.

Problem

In taking on the project, we faced a number of technical challenges. First, our client counted on us to create the series from scratch, providing only the titles which would be used in the video. Although this meant we were afforded a good deal of creative freedom, we had to be careful to consistently relay the proper tone for the game. Additionally, we had a tight timeline for the first video, with a net of 4-5 days to complete the final draft, which is typical for the creation of UA ads.

Solution

Although we could be adventurous, we also looked at finding creatives which were simple enough not to sacrifice or deter from the main focus of the ad. Our approach then to maintaining consistency developed quickly after we became more familiar with the existing materials at our disposal, especially with our animators. We optimized our production process to reuse and adapt these assets into new contexts and stories, thus making our turnaround faster and on schedule. Likewise, we successfully incorporated live-action stock footage, making its inclusion seamless within the videos, from colour grading to the addition of 3D elements. Combining this with examples of the gameplay, each promo conveys a distinct character, while orienting customers towards the experience of the game.

Result

At this rate, we have been able to create dozens of ads for Zynga’s Farmville based on this production process. On top of increasing sales for our client, we have also successfully established a long-term relationship with Zynga, through our streamlined process. From a technical perspective, we have also learned how to apply this pipeline to future projects, chiefly the process of mixing assets from a number of sources to make the story more cohesive.

Problem

Our main challenge on the project was the tight time-line for production. Because national broadcasts work according to purchased time-slots on Ukrainian television, our deadline was scheduled for 10 weeks. Likewise, because the video’s initial target broadcast channel was TV, we were restricted by Ukrainian national law regarding the exhibition of weaponry on advertisements. We had to figure out a way to work around these limitations in the design phase of our characters, and to make our deadline using the most efficient methods.

Solution

Interestingly, we didn’t shoot anything for the first 6 weeks. Instead, we primarily dedicated our time to preparing the finalized product. This meant creating, modeling, and texturing 4 main character designs from an initial set of 12, while also drafting the concept’s storyline. Once complete, we used motion-capture technology to capture the main animatic, and determine the structure and timings for the sequence. Additionally, we struck a balance between the project’s combat-heavy nature and national broadcast laws by altering the character’s weaponry to more acceptable forms, like a scepter and a staff. Finally, we also recorded a voice-over to create a more immersive experience, as the characters move through the 3D environments produced by our team of environmental artists, animators, riggers, and modelers.

Result

Next to receiving great praise from our client, sales of the ATB franchise were reported to have grown by 30% after the video’s release, which amassed a viewership of approximately 1.2 million. Additionally, the client presented our team with a special gift box, containing the project’s art bible, statuettes of the main characters, and playing cards featuring each of the characters which we helped to design for the franchise – a great token of the creativity and hard work of our team.