Percula reveals future of BLIND
by Michael Gray 
Dec 29th 2008 at 8:00PM
If you didn't catch the Craft of War: BLIND when we featured it on Friday, now's a good time to check it out above. The release of this machinima has hit several WoW news and comment sites like a storm, even being featured on the front page of MMOChampion. But the real news is that Percula, the creator and animator of the movie, has issued a little more information about who he is, and where he comes from.
According to Percula, the future of BLIND is somewhat uncertain. This is because he did work for a game studio, but was laid off a few months ago. The high praise he's received makes it more likely that he's going to do a sequel, probably called something along the lines of Execute or Counterspell. Percula does say that he's thankful for both the positive feedback and constructive criticism he's seen since the release of BLIND. Although, as you might expect, he's having trouble keeping up with sheer volume of emails.
It's heartening to see a newcomer to the machinima scene make such a big breakthrough. I'd like to thank all the folks who commented on Friday's post, since Percula definitely saw that feedback. Here's hoping that we'll see a new release soon!
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Machinima, News items, WoW Moviewatch
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
The Hammer Dec 29th 2008 8:20PM
I posted this about the video on the realm forums of the server I play on.
"I know I'm going to be called up on this, but I found the more fantastical stuff to be a little off-putting. It starts great, but by the time they're flying through the air slashing their daggers together it's so out-of-place in the setting. It's a problem I have with a lot of WOW machinima. A perfect counterpart in movie terms to how the fighting should look is something like Lord of the Rings (ignoring everything Legolas did with the Mumakil. :P).
It makes me sound like a Scrooge, I guess, but it was too much of an issue for me to properly enjoy it. That's some real technical skills the guy has - better even than the Wrath Gate Cinematic, I feel, in animations for single models - but I can't say I liked his design choices. In a Medieval Fantasy setting, pop music and rogue mid-air duels just don't mix. "
In addition, I'm very much looking forward to what this talented movie-maker is going to do next. If it contains action more suited to the setting - and by that I mean grounded duels with no end of sword parries and dirty tricks, then I'd be absolutely thrilled. The idea of a mage video is so mouth-watering to me that I think I've just drowned myself. To do for mages what he's done for rogues would be sweetness personified.
Kia Dec 29th 2008 8:44PM
I have to agree with your comments about the music choice. Kind of weird, there. The mid-air fighting and flashiness is just fine, though, it makes it obvious the level a PC is above a typical guard. (Usually).
Also, I totally agree with your mage comment. I saw my first mage vs. mage pvp duel just a few weeks ago and I was blown away by how flashy and fluid it was, they were both really amazing!
Charles Dec 29th 2008 8:54PM
The weirdness of the music choice is part of what 'hooks' me about the video in the first place. It's unexpected and draws you in to the action in a particularly way. And it fits perfectly with the action and the 'plot' - see how Lady Prestor winks as she says "shh" near the end? Sinister and dangerous, but playful and graceful, but sinister and dangerous, but... well, you get the idea.
Coldbear Dec 29th 2008 10:18PM
If this guy got hired by Blizzard to do cut-scenes and toss one out every other week or month, I'd be so hooked. That's more addictive than crack right there. Easily better than Wrathgate and ten times better than the Wrath intro.
Andy Dec 30th 2008 3:11AM
Even though what has been posted is intended as constructive criticism, I disagree with part of what the first two posters have to say about it.
I felt like the jumping through the air on the rogues part really felt on par with the feeling and beat of the music and matched up with what you would expect from such an extremely agile class. It might not feel on par with the way WoW is actually played because the overall mechanics of the game will not allow for such actions for a multitude of reasons, such as terrain mapping.
Not to mention this is suppose to be an Elite Rogue VS. an Elite Rogue. If they stood there and used similar to WoW Mechanics the fight would not have been nearly as interesting.
I have seen several people comment on the music. I think the music was perfect, he has it synced up with what is going on very well and though it may not quite be what most of us are used to hearing, it adds a certain amount of immersiveness to the situation. It started out slow and quite and built up to a climax, just as the video did.
Out of the video, I could only see one very visible flaw. When she is going after Ony and she starts spinning in circles with her blade the cut on one of the guards could have been better. Maybe if some blood was added to the slice......
Overall this has to be the best action machinima I have seen for WoW. My hat is off to the creator, I am eagerly anticipating your next film.
The Hammer Dec 30th 2008 7:12AM
"similar to WoW Mechanics the fight would not have been nearly as interesting."
I'm not however suggesting it should be WOW mechanics - I'm saying it should be choreographed like Medieval Fantasy usually is. That's why I gave the Lord of the Rings example. I agree, the WOW animations for fights are relatively poor, but that's part and parcel to do with MMOs. It's just something we have to take on the chin - however, there is middle ground between this and the kung-fu movie style of this one. It's just incongruous to the setting, and to the tone.
Minidrake Dec 30th 2008 7:37PM
I have only a few comments:
1. WIN.
2. GOLD
3. Buff Rogues because that's how we're supposed to fight.
Thank you very much. :D
Zaret Dec 29th 2008 8:21PM
I still can't believe that video I've watched it like 8 times and I'm just wondering how he makes the avatars move like that. He should truly work for Blizzard :D
Calaana Dec 29th 2008 9:34PM
Agreed - I'd actually be surprised if blizzard didn't try to find him right now, even. Wrath gate was awesome, what this guy could do for them.. mmm. The fact he's worked in the industry bodes well too.
Should they note, I strong suggest Percula spams the hell out of http://www.blizzard.com/us/jobopp/
Lots of things of this regarde there from what I can see.
Boozekin Dec 29th 2008 8:58PM
Strictly speaking this isn't what purists would consider machinima as it's not based on the confines of the game engine, instead the models have been remade in a 3D editing software like Maya and animated that way, offering a lot more than just emotes to work with.
In any case I was extremely impressed with the quality and effort put into BLIND.
The Hammer Dec 29th 2008 8:32PM
Oh, and good luck to him finding a new job, too! I hate to see modest and talented guys like that being made redundant!
Flairy Dec 29th 2008 8:36PM
Despite what a lot of people are saying, I looooooooooove the music.
Hanako Dec 29th 2008 8:38PM
J-hip-pop ftw!
Gnosh Dec 29th 2008 9:25PM
Ugh, mute
Sinanju Dec 29th 2008 8:41PM
Missed this Friday, guess I was too busy in instances and Naxx. Today, went back and watched it. Shortly after, I had several others in the guild to check it out and all of us thought it was fantastic. I think it is the best machinima that I have seen in quite a while. Please keep up the good work!
Charles Dec 29th 2008 8:51PM
Amazing stuff! Although the music was not what I was expecting, it was obviously carefully chosen and the whole piece was choreographed around it - which resulted in an unexpected but very entertaining mix of sinister and playful and awesome! Clearly not just some random WoW video with the artist's favourite song pasted on the top of it.
Sadly the style of action portrayed is a little clichéd in WoW machinima now, especially after it was DBZ'ed up so hard in TotP3. But how else do you display the agility, lethality and grace of rogues with such low-poly, low-detail, awkward models? And even then, there was enough grace, restraint and sheer 'wow'-factor (no pun intended) to make the flying-through-the-air action seem worthwhile. Again, it fit with the choice of music, and the whole thing was almost perfectly choreographed and amazingly animated, shot and edited to the music and general vibe.
Great way to spend 7 minutes, definitely. Don't want to think about how long it must have taken to produce...
CrusaderStrike Dec 29th 2008 9:21PM
For those doubters about its music, try to listen to it without the video (I suggest Imeem and search for the Namie Omura or Hide & Seek) and lets see if you still don't like how good it is.
While you're at it check out Velonica by Aqua Timez
G Dec 29th 2008 9:46PM
I don't think there's anything wrong with the song at all. But it comes in suddenly "happy" for that point in the story, especially with the synth horns. The whole thing might even work if he could use a more minimally remixed intro of the song and let it build slowly.
Kylenne Dec 30th 2008 1:57AM
Sorry, I think Namie Omura makes shit music.
And I say this as a die-hard J-Pop fan. Hikki blows her out of the water without even really trying.
CrusaderStrike Dec 30th 2008 6:38AM
I didn't say that all Namie's music is good, I just like this song in particular. So obvious that you're just hating.