Even though it's been over two years since the release of Skyrim. It would appear that this game came out of the blue.... aiming to stun the world. Thankfully, it has. Let's look at this trailer in-depth starting with the audio. Posters so far, illustrate the imperial logo of mostly grey and silver tones surrounded by a black background. The aim of the poster is to be simple and simplicity can just as build up the same excitement as a design that's more complicated.
Elder Scrolls: Skyrim Teaser Trailer
Trailer Rating: 9.5 / 10
Firstly, the narrator's voice shows aggression yet a warmth atmosphere to the tone. It makes you believe that if you were there face to face with the narrator while he was telling you the story, such atmosphere would make you want to believe it was real. This atmosphere was further enhanced when certain carvings on the wall came to life, breathing fire at the lone fighter. This made me think just how stories can be powerful tools and how they can influence our lives no matter it's significance. The colour scheme works very well, creating a cold atmosphere with only touch of hope/warmth. This further adds a more human/ intense touch to the trailer. CGI is also impressive, further enhancing the feeling previously mentioned. Therefore this is a trailer is designed to warm your heart, to build the feeling of excitement. To me, the trailer aims to please mostly every sense except touch and sight. It's a nice change from other trailers that seem to focus on more the CGI perspective, to please the eyes.
Dead Island: Riptide
Trailer Rating: 9.2 / 10
After the first games success, there was a call for a sequal. This meant that the developers would have to think bigger when it comes to combat, environments and enemies. The colour palette for the logo of Dead Island: Riptide has changed for the better. Instead of the black and red, we see sunset animations that adds more depth and texture to the logo. Of-course the font is a lot more darker than the background animation thus capturing the heaven-hell balance of the game.
The first thing you will notice is the lack of voice overs/ narrators. Instead there is a sad yet placid music played by a piano. So I could immediately tell that this trailer was designed to capture the feeling of desperation but also contentment. Personally, I thought the introduction dragged somewhat but I understand that this was to capture the couples love for one another in a time of imminent danger. The use of film language was very good, with interesting close ups of the lighter/ couple and long shots of the zombies and the town in the background. To me; this trailer takes a more human approach in terms of last minute decisions. The couple knew what would happen if they didn't act. But neither did they panic. Instead they thought rationally and comforted each other in the process. Such trailers and situations like this don't always need voice overs, as it would ruin the calm/ loving atmosphere in a chaotic environment. The balance of heaven and hell exists here and I believe the couple did find some form of heaven... in each other. And so ended their suffering... not to mention the many heads and bodies of zombies.
All in all; the trailer was brilliant. Good film language, storytelling, pace and audio through-out. The changes I would apply would be: More detailed animations for the couple and alter the introduction slightly. Once again; its nice to see a trailer that doesn't just talk endlessly about guns, explosions etc.
Assignment Mod Number: ARD407 - ARD409 Ideas and Concepts (Storyboard for Game Trailer)
The Dead Island Riptide trailer is just something else. You are right when you said it was brilliant, but (even though I loved the trailer) I felt it didn't really do it's job as a trailer. This (along with the original Dead Island trailer) show these moments where people must do what they need to do to either rid the world of some of those zombies or defend each other. My problem is that it is done with such a melancholy tone, which leads you to assume that the game itself is like this. But it ends up being very action filled. I just felt these trailers (as great as they were) failed to really show what this game was about.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very interesting response. I understand and agree with your point about how trailers such as these can easily send the wrong message to gamers about "what the game is about." And in the process fail. My only suggestion is that they must have produced the trailer to remind all who play or see this that it's a very emotional situation. While you are enjoying blowing the heads off zombies etc, what of the others who don't make it? Obviously; you are faced with the worst of human choices... " I must survive, but how?" or in my last moments... what would you do? In some way, it makes you think a little and understand aswell.
Delete