Earlier this year I got pretty bored and decided to do something creative in my spare time. I've been wanting to do a fight scene for a while and decided to develop a story using World of Warcraft. Animation is what I do and I decided to use my skills in making something.

This is only the second personal creative work I've ever posted so I'm a bit nervous about it. The first being an image I painted years ago which...um... we don't talk about. :) It's a bit nerve-wracking to post creative work for others to judge.

I've thought about making this a series but I'm faced with an impending layoff so my future is unclear. If I get a positive reaction I'm sure I'll be working on something else in the future.
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update December 29, 2008

First off I'd like to thank all of you for all of the compliments and even the criticisms. I set out to try and make something I think would be cool and hoped others would think so too. Although I can't possibly reply to all the emails and comments posted I do read it all,trying to anyway, hehe. I definitely appreciate the kind words.

About the music, it wasn't something I choose at random but an element that I consider to be just as important as the models, lighting, animations,...etc. It was the driving force for the pace and the inspiration for the story. With the feedback I've gotten consider your voices heard and it'll be something I take into account in the future. I still think I made the right decision and it's not something I'm going to go back and change so lets agree that we disagree. :)

Song "Hide & Seek" by Namie Amuro
World of Warcraft models,music,sounds by Blizzard Entertainment
Story,direction,animations,editing by Percula

programs used: WoW, WoW model viewer, MilkShape 3D, 3DS Max, Sony Vegas, Adobe Aftereffects
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update November 1, 2009

Hey everyone, I thought I'd give an update since I still get plenty of people asking about future videos. Currently I don't have any plans to continue with The Craft of War. I've been delaying letting people know this because I didn't want to disappoint. I had thought people would forget about BLIND after a while but there seems to be a steady stream of new WoW players that see the video and ask about a continuation. Why won't I continue? It has to do with me being laid off from work earlier this year. I had to focus on finding a job so I quit WoW because, I'm sure you would agree, playing WoW takes up a lot of time, lol. Since my forced break from WoW I've lost my interest in playing although I still visit the WoW blogs and am still part of the officers mailing list for my guild. Maybe I'll find something that'll motivate me to play again. :) I think I'd have to start playing again in order to be motivated to make more The Craft of War videos.

Even though I may not continue with TCoW I still plan on making more animated videos. Instead of being based on WoW I have some original concepts that I think will be totally awesome. Also, if you want to see more of my work you'll have to pick up future id Software games as I'll have a hand in their development. :) I won't mention my past work because I continue to improve. My past animations won't compare to my future stuff. Also, why should I mention games for a company that laid me off?! AM I RIGHT?!?! LOL!

Thanks,
Percula
percula.craft@live.com (less info)