Naraka: Bladepoint - Showdown Gelid Yushan

February 6th 2023

Final Frontier and Le Cube Craft Martial Arts Showdown for NARAKA: BLADEPOINT

Wuxia-style cinematic marks the launch of the latest NARAKA campaign chapter.

 Final Frontier is delighted to announce the creation of another animated film for Netease’s martial-arts driven battle-royale game, NARAKA: BLADEPOINT.

The latest 2D short film from Final Frontier Entertainment, serves as a launch piece for the game’s new Chapter ‘SHOWDOWN - GELID YUSHAN’, and a new Player Versus Environment (PvE) game system.

Animated in Le Cube’s signature dynamic style with fluid transitions, the action is reminiscent of anime, but choreographed with the moves and sequences distinct to Wuxia-style sword-craft. 

The film centers on fan favorite heroine, Viper Ning, as she faces off against the demonic Mother of Kunlun, in an enormous and cavernous temple. Ning seems destined for defeat before lifelong rival blade master, Justina Gu, emerges to fight by her side, the ensuing battle intercut with flashbacks to the protagonist's complex past.

Director Ralph Karam says:

“To reflect the magnitude of this epic face off, I wanted there to be a palpable feeling of tension, that builds and intensifies until the final climax. There needed to be an oppressive atmosphere of terror, and the constant inescapable feeling of Ning’s struggle against a formidable opponent. The music was a key component in achieving that effect. To enhance and escalate the tension, we layered sound effects rather than going with melodic music.

 In terms of technique, we found a smart way to paint the background over a 3D structure and later animate it as a 2D asset. That helped us a lot to speed up the design process. Our experience producing the first film helped us to maintain aesthetic coherence this time round, especially with the fine ink and texture work, which ultimately gives the project its unique personality.

 The main challenge was to be true to the game’s existing character and environment designs, and also the specific way that the characters needed to move, while at the same time making sure we were adding our own vision, style and unique touch to the film.

 My favourite moment is when the Mother of Kunlun looms forward and emerges from the shadows, fearsome, eyes blazing. Again, it was all about playing with the light and shadow and sound to create that chilling sense of dread. I also love the effects, which infuse the action with extra dynamism.”

Final Frontier executive producer Chris Colman says:

“I really just want to pay tribute to Ralph and Le Cube’s creativity, craft and professionalism, and Netease, for trusting us again to execute their vision serving a game and world with which we feel deeply connected.  It’s proving to be a powerful Ning and Justina-esque combination.”

NARAKA: BLADEPOINT is a Chinese martial art ‘wuxia sword-craft’ game that takes place against the backdrop of the battle between two ancient gods, seeing heroes from around the world venturing to the legendary Morus Isle to compete for the immortal mask.  First launched in August 2021, by June 2022, global sales of the game had exceeded 10 million copies.

Besides the first episode in this series, Final Frontier also created the full 3D CG trailer for Naraka Championship 2022, the inaugural edition of the international esports tournament.

Credits

Client: 24 Entertainment, Netease
Production Co.: Final Frontier & Final Frontier Entertainment
Executive Production: Claus Cibils, Chris Colman, Fernanda Soma, Gus Karam, Julieta Zajaczkowski, Juan Manuel Freire
Production: Sofia Arissian, Mechi Serrano, Jenny Song, Miranda Tsetskhladze, Yeeman Lin, Florencia Di Tomaso
Animation Studio: Le Cube
Director: Ralph Karam
Line Producers: 
Animation Director: Federico Radero
Art Director: Ralph Karam
Assistant Director: Agostina Carrera
Ilustrators: Franco Vecchi, Juan Barabani, Lucas Andreu, Gianluca Patti
2D Animation: Appétit, Cintia Czeszczewik, Emanuel Zampalo
Tie Down: Appétit
Clean Up supervisor: Laura Desmery
Clean Up: Juli Soloaga, Juan Pablo Barbieri, Micaela Carrizo, Virginia Fillol, Juli Culaciati, Octavio Cid, Javier Saavedra, Augusto Cortegoso, Sofia Ruocco, Sofia Diaz, Sofia Fernandez, Anibal Dasso, Mariangel Idiarte, Sofia Sosa, Facundo Montero
Textures: Margherita Premuroso, Guadalupe Vyleta, Virginia Fillol, Juli Soloaga, Sofia Fernandez
3D Modeling: Juan Miyagi, Lui Nogueira, Fer Lamattina
3D Lighting & Shading : Lui Nogueira, Ago Carrera
3D Animation: Fer Lamattina
Compositing: Adrian Mirandeborde