To learn more about this project, you can take the Holdframe workshop here.
CONCEPT
This piece was made to commemorate Cub Studio reaching 150,000 followers on Instagram. To celebrate, Cub Studio decided to create a unique piece that mixed the worlds of motion design with 16-bit retro gaming. This is achieved through creating an immersive environment that looks amazing and is packed with Easter eggs that only animators will understand.
The concept is refreshing and fun.
DESIGN
This video stands out among most high-brow motion design pieces, both visually and conceptually. The simple color scheme hearkens back to the limitations of retro gaming, which is reinforced by the 16-bit effect that overlays everything. I love the motion design Easter eggs that are in the background, like...
The shy layers icon:
Various keyframes and cameras that make up the environment:
The motion path trail and bezier handles that show up when Jonny jumps:
The design is cohesive and immersive, achieving the goal of feeling like a retro game. I like the homages to Super Mario Brothers in the abstract platform environment and the background objects with faces.
The character design is reminiscent of Johnny Bravo, personifying a muscular, heroic meat-head hero.
Honestly, this wouldn't normally be something that I rave over because I'm not terribly enthused by the 16-bit style all the time, but the more I look, the more I see that there is to love. It's simply brilliant design.
ANIMATION
The animation captures the feel of a retro game really well. It feels a lot like old Metroid games, but in a Super Mario environment.
This walk-to-run cycle illustrates the movement of retro games really well:
I love the way Jonny jumps. It's slightly mechanical, but also feels like he's floating. Like I said, it feels like Metroid. The easing out of his sprint is also really nice.
The fighting animations are really fun. It reminds me of Street Fighter, but with some added fluidity. I think that's a big takeaway from this piece's animation: it feels a lot like retro games, but with "HD movement."
The easing and impact of each punch and kick is really smooth, your brain just thinks it's choppy because of the 16-bit overlay.
The impact created by the slight camera shake really sells this shot:
