Spacejunk Animates “Avacyn Restored” Game Trailer

The epic animated game trailer Avacyn Restored is the latest in a series of darkly beautiful collaborations between game company Wizards of the Coast and award-winning design and production studio Spacejunk.

Written by Wizards of the Coast’s Brady Dommermuth, Kurt Isensee and Mark Painter, Avacyn Restored, and its earlier counterpart Dark Ascension, immerse viewers into the realm of Magic: The Gathering — the ghoulish world of Innistrad and its evil inhabitants. Each trailer was designed and animated using original paintings created for the game experiences. Spacejunk’s creative teams then designed animatics to determine and refine the approach to movement, story transition and the overall viewing experience.

For Avacyn Restored and Dark Ascension, Spacejunk utilized a 2.5D production process with key moments employing 3D camera projection, a technique that would provide depth and movement to bring the paintings to life while maintaining the integrity of the original art. For the soundtracks supporting each narrative, Spacejunk collaborated with noted composer Sean Beeson, whose scores have been featured extensively across all game platforms, with select placement in features and television. Spacejunk cast the voice over talent and crafted all sound design, for truly dynamic productions with cinematic style and scope.

“Wizards’ creative teams infuse each beautifully rendered detail with such passion and care — it is truly inspiring,” says Spacejunk Creative Director Jeff Boddy. “Our goal, with each production, is to translate the dramatic intensity and harness the magic as each new facet is unveiled.”

“By the very nature of what we do, we are rarely privy to viewer feedback,” adds Spacejunk Creative Director Mike Beaumont. “Reading the incredibly positive online fan responses to these trailers has been amazing.”