Jan 16

ESL and NODWIN teams up to bring ‘Dota 2’ festival in India

Posted in: Animation

ESL, the global esports company, and NODWIN Gaming have announced that they have teamed up to debut  Dota 2 festival ESL One, in Mumbai, on 19-21 April 2019. The festival will be powered by Intel With a capacity of up to 8,000 seats, the NSCI Dome is well designed to host large scale entertainment and sports events, serving as a fitting new home for ESL One Mumbai 2019. Twelve of the best Dota 2 teams will battle over a lion’s share of the $300,000 prize pool and the coveted championship trophy at India’s first Dota 2 mega event.

“We can’t wait to bring ESL One to a completely new location – especially since this will mark the first big Dota 2 tournament in India. We see great potential in the Indian esports market and are looking forward to further foster the growth of the local scene together with our partner NODWIN Gaming,” said Ulrich Schulze, senior vice president of product at ESL.

ESL One Mumbai 2019 will host seven directly invited teams and four teams that need to fight their way up through the online qualifiers, which are set to take place in the regions Europe, North America, Greater China and Southeast Asia. Additionally, a local qualifier will be held in India to find the last participating team among India’s best. Eight out of the twelve teams taking part in the group stages on 16-18 April will get the chance to play on the big stage in front of thousands of enthusiastic Dota 2 fans.

“ESL One commands global reverence in the world of esports and for India to play host to this event is indeed a landmark for the country’s esports history. NODWIN Gaming has firsthand experience of the passion of the Indian Dota 2 community over multiple years and this is our gift to them – to come and meet the best Dota 2 gamers of the world at ESL One Mumbai 2019,” said Akshat Rathee, managing director of NODWIN Gaming.

Besides the tournament, ESL One Mumbai 2019 will feature an array of exciting activities including ESL One’s famous Dota 2 cosplay competition and opportunities to interact with teams and pro players.

“As the technology leader for esports and gaming and ESL’s Global Technical Partner, Intel is looking forward to delivering a world-class gaming experience to Dota 2 fans in India and around the world, at the inaugural ESL One Mumbai 2019,” said Prakash Mallya, managing director – sales & marketing group at Intel India.

Tickets for ESL One Mumbai 2019 will go on sale on Thursday, 17 January at 3pm (IST), and will range from Rs. 499 for Single Day tickets up to Rs.2,499 for premium tickets.

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Jan 16

JKSA appeals governor administration to ban PUBG for poor academic results

Posted in: Animation

As the Tencent Game’s PUBG Mobile has set a popularity example in the midst of gaming rush, Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) has asked Jammu and Kashmir governor administration Satya Pal Naik to immediately ban PUBG.

According to them the enticing nature of the gameplay has engrossed the students which have reflected in the recent results of 12th and 10th class according to a news portal.

Jammu and Kashmir Students Association chairman Abrar Ahmad Bhat coined the game as ‘Future spoiler’. They have strongly appealed Governor to ban the game as the concerns raised by the different sections, especially parents are addressed as soon as possible.

“The game should have been banned immediately after the poor performance of 12th and 10th class results but still we haven’t seen any action. The addiction to this game has become more concerning than addiction to drugs as we get to see youngsters 24 hours on the mobile phones and playing the game and doing nothing. We request the governor administration to immediately ban the game,” said Pristine Kashmir deputy chairman Raqif Makhdoomi.

Considering the popularity of the game, there have been a lot of instances where its name  flashed in the news for one or the other reason, sometimes even as an appeal to ban the game, but all of them have been found to be on the fake news spectrum, unlike this time which has a strong accusation against the game.

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Jan 16

Trailer: ‘Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiyaa’ is all set to take the country on a musical adventure

Posted in: Animation

There’s hardly any Bengali family who hasn’t watched and re-watched Oscar recipient Satyajit Ray’s cult classic, Goopi Gyne Baagha Byne, such  has been the charisma of the film helmed by the stature of a director like Ray. Adapted from Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury‘s classic Goopi Gyne Baagha Byne, the classic is now being made in animation for the first time in Hindi.

Produced by CFSI in association with Karadi Tales, Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiyaa (GGBB) is directed by Shilpa Ranade with Paperboat Animation Studios bringing it alive with stunning animation from script to screen. The trailer was launched yesterday, 15 January by renowned poet, lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar.

The trailer of Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiyaa immediately sets the mood for the film. The animation looks peculiarly fascinating and the script seems to be mostly adhered to the original story by Ray Chowdhury. The title track and the background score by Narayan Parashuram fits perfectly with the film on the whole.

Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiyaa writer and producer Soumitra Ranade mentions : “We started Paperboat precisely to work on projects like Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiyaa. We believe in animation that explores the innovative, the spectacular and the distinctive. GGBB is that unique voice that transcends geographies, languages and cultures. We are absolutely sure that the audiences will love the film.”

Karadi Tales who’s marketing and distributing the film across the country, is a 22 year old company involved in creating contemporary content based on the 3000 year old storytelling tradition in India, in the form of audio-books, picture books, tactile books, television episodes and now, this feature film.

Karadi Tales co-founder and Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiyaa music composer Parashuram said : “Film culture in our country is very rich. So CFSI has produced Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiyaa (GGBB) which is marketed and released by Karadi Tales. Gulzar Sahab has been an integral part of this Karadi Tales’ journey and has also sown the seed for GGBB.”

The synopsis of the film goes like :

Goopi loves to sing, Bagha loves to drum.

Despite their acute ineptness, their passion to sing and play knows no bounds. They meet in the jungle, to where they are banished from their respective villages when the cacophony they create becomes absolutely unbearable.  

An immediate bond is forged between the two hapless souls, their destinies get entwined and Goopi and Bagha become indispensable to each other, just as the naada to the pyjama, the lota to the paani, the gulla to the ras!

Shilpa Ranade at the trailer launch

Shilpa added on the similar line : “This film is a labour of love. It takes time to make an animation film and we have gone through the process with the people who has been closely involved in this project. The whole journey started with my interest in doing children’s books. I got one amazing book from Scholastic to illustrate, and that book was Goopi Gyne and Baagha Byne retold by none other than Gulzar Sahab. I got excited getting it because it was a film that I’ve grown up watching. It’s really close to my heart as I think it is too most of us, especially in Bengal. While I was illustrating, I was asked to do 20 drawings for the film, but I ended up doing 50! So this little idea popped into my head, Why don’t I make a little animated film for children? If I can do 50, I can do 100 and 500 or 1000 or more as I was carried away by it. And that’s where the seed had came for. The original story was written in 1915 but it allows a lot of retelling and we have done that.”

Goopi Byne Baagha Byne holds a special place in the vast canvas of Indian cinema with its unique storytelling and smart execution. It has survived time and boundaries to remain one of the favourite films to fall back on, in the kids genre, though it has catered to all age groups alike with equal charm and effect.

Gulzar at the trailer launch

Gulzar noted, “Thanks to CFSI [for making such kind of films]. I’ve been a part of it at a point of time and the Karadi family. [Making films for children since they’re the future] is not something to impose. It’s done instinctively, emotionally and about how you feel and see the culture of this land which is centuries old. This family, the Ray family has done it. The original story was done by his [Satyajit Ray’s] grandfather Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury. His family has handed over to me and I’ve handed over to Shilpa. I really like her style and the way she illustrates. So I only wanted to give away the book if only she was doing it.”

Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiyaa has won the AASIFA Award for best animated feature film, Jury Award for best Art Work at ICFF, Hyderabad, nominated for best film APSA Brisbane, Orbit Live Industry award for best animated feature, and the WIFTS award, Los Angeles.

Indian animation industry is growing leaps and bounds and the league is still warming up with 2019 just beginning. It’s a fascinating to see regional yet universal concepts reaching out to a wider audience with full-length animated feature films made in India, the genre which is continuing its slow but steady move. As its subtitle points out, “India’s first children’s film for Adults”, we hope the general notion of animation being only for kids, changes and it gets the sincere attention it deserves.

Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiyaa will be embarking on their musical and adventurous journey across the country on 1 March 2019 in 150 theatres.

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Jan 16

Demo reel, video art, or both?

Posted in: Animation

In this post, we chat with Block & Tackle about their 2019 reel, learn about their process, and what it is that makes a memorable reel.

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Jan 15

Comic Writer of ‘Star Wars comics’ Announces Final Issue

Posted in: Animation

We will keep you posted on the details on the future of Star Wars comics.

The post Comic Writer of ‘Star Wars comics’ Announces Final Issue appeared first on AnimationXpress.

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Jan 15

‘Games of Thrones’: What we understand so far.

Posted in: Animation

Winter is right around the corner for the last time as Game of Thrones is all set to premiere its final season on April 15.

While showrunners have been sparing about revealing the plot points, the newly-released teaser, which features the first time Jon Snow, Sansa Stark and Arya Stark, contains a few key clues about what we can anticipate in the season.

The clip shows the three siblings together at the cave underneath the Stark home in Winterfell.

Jon walks past a statue of Lyanna Stark, who he believes is his aunt, and the focus turns to the feather in her hand that falls as he passes by

 

As Jom walks past a statue of Lyanna Stark, who he thinks of as his aunt and the camera pans to the feather which is a corollary to the scene in the first episode when Lyanna’s husband King Robert places the feather in his hands while paying tribute, with her brother, Ned Stark, by his side.

The echoing voiceovers from the deceased characters in the background also point to the storyline in which Jon Snow learns about the child of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen.

“All this horror has come to my family,” says Catelyn Stark, It’s all because I couldn’t love a motherless child.”

“You are a Stark,” says Ned, another quote from early in the series which serves as the reminder that Jon Snow really has the stark blood running through his veins as opposed to what he previously believed.

After being joined by Arya and Sansa, the three come face to face with their own statues. Followed by the fire in the torch against the antagonising mistiness that characterises the White walkers as they prepare to battle

There is a lot to take away from this 1:20 minute footage.

While their brother, Bran Stark knows the truth because of his psychic abilities to look travel into the past and future. Jon Snow is actually the legitimate child of Rhaegar and Lyanna, and therefore the heir to the Iron Throne.

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Jan 15

High 5 Games globally expands in association with Kindred Group

Posted in: Animation

High 5 Games continues to expand its global presence through a new partnership with industry leader online gaming operator Kindred Group. Through this commercial alliance, both partners seek to gain traction and expand their reach within newly regulated markets such as Sweden and New Jersey.

High 5 Games, in particular, continues to make significant strides in growing its ‘mobile ready’ game portfolio, now offering premium operators, like the Kindred Group, over 80 HTML5 slot titles as of 1 January.

High 5 Games debuts All That Cash on all Kindred Group brands to start the New Year. This is H5G’s first partner for the Nordic and Sweden markets. H5G’s highly optimised HTML5 pipeline are certified for Sweden and will provide their most innovative slot titles as well as proven hits across Unibet and all Kindred brands.  Later in Q1 2019, Golden Gladiator will be released with a number of hit games to follow.

“Our goal is jointly aligned with the Kindred Group, to provide casino gaming enthusiasts with premium experiences through best in class partnerships. It is my intent and hopes that our partnership will continue for many years to come”, said High 5 Games founder and CEO Anthony Singer .

High 5 Games continues to actively develop opportunities and to work with governing bodies throughout Europe and the United States, as well as to continue its aim of content distribution for all regulated territories from its global headquarters at 1 World Trade Center in New York.

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Jan 15

Mobile game developer IGG launches ‘Mobile Royale’ for the mobile market

Posted in: Animation

IGG, the games company behind the Lords Mobile, has announced its newest release for the mobile market: Mobile Royale. The game is set in Vollandia, a fantastical world which has been torn apart by war for centuries and where players will have to restore peace and become rulers of the kingdom. Available to download for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play, Mobile Royale is user-friendly and a great way to meet new friends from all around the world in an endless fantasy MMORPG.

Mobile Royale is a third-generation strategy game that allows players to explore exotic mystical lands and embark on grandiose battlefields (35 vs 35) featuring top-notch 3D graphics. The new game combines different genres, mixing RPG, strategy and simulation. Each player has the choice to take part in a particular campaign and get acquainted with the Clan Wars. By discovering ancient Clan Ruins, attacking, and occupying Clan Forts, players will find themselves growing in strength and developing unique abilities. The game features 10 clans and five races: humans, dwarves, elves, beastkin, and specters. Top performing players will become rulers of their own kingdom. Only one player can become the Holy Ruler of Mobile Royale.

Players are challenged to select the best strategies, make decisions, and use the right tactics in battle to make the most of their customisable heroes, which each have their own fascinating backstory, special animations, and well-balanced unique attacks. Special in-game features help the player expand their territory and conquer the world using a war airship and a trader airship. Players can also develop and enhance the guardian dragon´s skills, which will fight for them, as well as hunt different monsters to get materials and boost equipment.

The game allows players to design their own city layout and place buildings wherever they wish, using five unique cultures to customise the game’s architectural appearance as the city develops from the stone age to modern times.

“We are so excited with the launch of Mobile Royale. If you are hungry for a challenge and would like to test yourself on a battlefield this is your game. We want all players to move to Vollandia and enjoy this fantastic mobile gaming experience,” said IGG general manager (Europe) Enric Cabestany.

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Jan 15

‘Aesthetics Youth Conclave’ day one brought in comprehensive sessions for aspiring students in the AVGC ecosystem

Posted in: Animation

With efforts to propel the education sector of the AVGC industry in the country, concerned organisations are gearing up in an attempt to rake up the pitch. The numbers of upcoming industry aspirants are increasing consistently as the ecosystem in the country is coming out to be more promising by the day.

In an attempt to showcase what the industry holds ahead for the aspirants, ‘Aesthetics Youth Conclave’ was organised by Zee Learn in Mumbai, on 10 January. With students from across the country and various institutes, the hall of The Retreat at Madh was sprawling with enthusiasm.

After the initial lamp lighting ceremony, the stage was given over to online editor and colourist Shrinivas Rao. He began his session on how his journey has been, which spans over 25 years. He focused on how the visual effects on television screen have become a thing of practice in the past five years.



Talking over the education perspective, he shared the five ‘C’s which one should follow for being able to create stunning content for the screens. Rao followed it up with some behind the screen shots from the VFX heavy television show, Porus. Concluding his session with a demo on colour grading, he encouraged to students to follow their passion.

Next up was Zee5’s Milind Gadkar. Heading the content team at the aforementioned OTT platform he explained how pipeline for a show works in the digital era. He explained further that the M&E industry is poised to become a $305 trillion industry by 2022 and how it will create more opportunities.

Keeping his topic mostly fixed on storytelling, he stated that if the one cannot explain the story simply, they have not understood the story. Even though it’s the director’s job to tell the story, he said, filmmaking is a collaborative effort. He concluded talking about the slate of originals that Zee5 has to offer and how they plan to increase it in the coming years.

Sidharth Balakrishna

Essel Group group corporate strategy and Siti Network executive director Sidharth Balakrishna enthralled the students next with his presentation about new age technologies being used in the M&E sector. Ranging from AI to XR and geo targeted ads to robo journalism, he covered it all.

The rising use of innovative technology will change the entire landscape of how this ecosystem functions was the major take away from his session.

In a brief presentation, the Zee5 CRO Taranjeet Singh shared his journey from Outlook to BBC, Twitter to Zee5. He says, his motivation to switch positions and field of work depends on what the audience wants and hence the shift.

Guru Vaidya

The next two presentations were from leading brands in the ecosystem. Adobe senior solutions consultant Guru Vaidya focused on how students can leverage the power of Adobe’s offerings to create cutting edge content seamlessly. With a further in-depth showcase of additional tools that the brand’s software provides, the presentation left the students with a bunch of enthusiastic questions, which Vaidya answered promptly.

MSI Global marketing personal Abhay Prabhu and Unity education account manager Jainareesh made a joint presentation. Jainareesh stressed on how the global usage of Unity for creating content has spiked up in the recent years, especially. The fragment with the explanation of real time rendering left the audience wanting get their hands on it. Prabhu’s presentation was in tandem with the former’s. The brand new Prestige edition of laptops from MSI pack a tremendous punch in the content creation ecosystem. As MSI is mainly known for making gaming hardware, it was a refreshing session on how the brand is testing other waters as a part of their portfolio. Throughout the session, the duo asked questions in regards to the brands and industry, the people answering correctly were presented with branded merchandise.

The final presentation of the day brought in Quidich co-founder Rahat Khulshreshtha. The company is a premiere in integrating augmented reality with the power of filming from drones. He narrated his experience on how he got into the field and what were the hurdles they had to pass through. With an absolutely interactive session, students had most of their queries about using a drone answered.  The called the curtains to his presentation by giving a live demo of flying a drone inside the premises which left the audience amazed.

With the sessions being over, the swan song of the evening was the screening of films made by the participating students. All in all, the event was neatly orchestrated keeping the requirement of students in mind and seemingly left the students wanting more.

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Jan 15

AstraZeneca

Posted in: Animation
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