Practice-based and theoretical research
Famous animation studio: Carbotanimation
With the development of social technology, many animation studios formed by individuals or independent teams have emerged in society. Most of them are active on platforms like YouTube or other video-based social networking websites. Their works range from niche to widely popular, catering to a diverse audience where everyone can find creative content they enjoy.
There is such a studio, they come from Canada, their name is CarBotAnimation.
Carbot Animation was founded by Jonathan Burton, one of the main employees of the Carbot Animation Studio, along with his wife and two brothers, Andrew and Sam. Carbot Animations is an online animation studio known for creating game-related animations. They are famous for producing cartoon-style animations for games such as “StarCraft II”. These animations are widely popular for their humorous, lighthearted, and dialogue-free style, attracting a large audience of gamers and animation enthusiasts.
Their most successful work, in my opinion, is the series of animated shorts they created for StarCrafts.
StarCrafts is an IP game under Activision Blizzard. They reinterpreted classic scenes and characters from the game into a unique cartoon style. These animations have not only been widely popular within the gaming community but also gained recognition among a broader audience of animation enthusiasts.
Carbot Animation initially started by adapting game plotlines into animated content. Later on, they ventured into creating a completely new storyline within the original game universe, crafting a world of their own characters. Over the course of 7 years, they developed a perfect narrative conclusion for this storyline.
Their animations have garnered global attention and recognition, and I believe their success can be attributed to several factors:
- Simple yet recognizable art style: Despite its simplicity, each character stands out due to unique colors and designs, making them instantly recognizable to viewers.
- Engaging storyline: The narratives are intriguing, with the creators incorporating numerous Easter eggs into the animations, adding layers of interest for the audience.
- Use of in-game sounds: The majority of the sounds and effects used in the animations are sourced from the games themselves, enhancing viewer immersion and connection to the game universe.
- Emphasis on visual expressiveness and entertainment: They capture viewers’ attention through exaggerated movements, facial expressions, and clever plot arrangements, creating a sense of joy and satisfaction.
As a result, after they released their second animation, they caught the attention of Kevin Johnson, the community manager at Blizzard Entertainment at the time. Blizzard expressed a strong liking for Carbot Animation’s videos and wished to promote them. This led them to join Blizzard’s player community, gaining significant attention and fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between players and the company’s IP community. This direct connection between players and the company’s IP community has catalyzed their success, helping both parties thrive together.