Nov 21

Dead As We Know, Blur Studios Dip into ‘Black Ink’ for The Kraken Rum

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Brooklyn-based shop Dead As We Know It was apparently so impressed with Blur Studios’ production work on The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo‘s intro that they used the production company as not just collaborators but inspiration for their new spot for The Kraken Rum, entitled “Black Ink.”

Directed by Tim Miller, “Black Ink” is a departure from the previous 2D woodblock print style Dead As We Know It has used for their spots for Kraken, instead employing realistic 3D/CG animation to show the kraken on the rum bottle come to life and destroy a ship. The kraken in the spot is depicted in quick close-ups that jump quickly from shot to shot, implying the violence and danger of the mythical beast.

To accomplish the more realistic approach, the kraken was “designed with reference to actual octopus tentacles and eyeballs for a photo-real look to the movements and destruction.” This new approach isn’t such a drastic departure from the feel of the agency’s previous work. The shift in style is pulled off very well, and feels more like an evolution in approach than a drastic alteration of strategy. Dead As We Know It ECD Mikal Reich ridiculously describes the new spot as “dark and horrific, while at the same time luxurious and sexy.” While the spot is undeniably good eye candy, there’s nothing really sexy about it — unless you’re into tentacle porn. Credits after the jump.  continued…

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Oct 17

Blur Studios Showcases Bruce Wayne’s Transformation in ‘Batman: Arkham Origins’

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Warner Brothers’ Batman: Arkham series has done for superhero video games what Christopher Nolan did for superhero movies, elevating the art form and raising the bar for all competitors. So there’s a lot of buzz surrounding the newest installment, Arkham Origins, to be released October 25th.

The new TV spot for the game, created by Blur Studios in collaboration with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics, shows a sequence of a young Bruce Wayne transforming from a troubled youth to his emergence as Batman. If this spot is any indication, the new game will place even more emphasis on cinematic sequences and the story than previous installments. This makes sense as the game features an original prequel storyline that, according to the press release, “showcases a young and unrefined Batman as he faces a defining moment in his early career as a crime fighter that sets his path to becoming the Dark Knight.

As the story unfolds, players will meet many important characters for the first time and forge key relationships.” It makes sense that storytelling would be more important to an origin game, and Arkham Origins seems poised to deliver. Players can also expect an expanded Arkham City in the title. The spot, directed by Tim Miller, does an excellent job of whetting viewers’ appetites; clueing them in to the emotional tone of the title and the emphasis on story, without giving away any important information. Fans of the previous Arkham games, and Batman fans in general, should be excited for this one.

The Batman: Arkham Origins spot airs on broadcast TV beginning October 19th. Batman: Arkham Origins will be released on October 25th and available for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U and PC, with a handheld version developed by Armature Studios available for Playstation Vita and Nintendo 3DS. The Batman: Arkham Origins free-to-play mobile game is available now at the Apple App Store.

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