Legion TD 2 Full Release Trailer (1min) Creative Direction

Trailer creative direction by Dan and Tony (prev TrailerFarm), Jules (AutoAttack Games) and me.

I had a unique opportunity to create an one-minute trailer for Legion TD 2 in collaboration with Jules (AutoAttack Games), Dan, and Tony. This was the first time for make a trailer movie. First coming up with a vision and working towards it with a team was such an exciting task.
The biggest challenge was that we didn't have time or resources to create new art assets exclusively for the trailer, so we had to do everything we can with what we had; in-game model, illustrations assets, and Yozora illustration motion graphics. An extra asset I had to make was a hi-res, posed version of the in-game Yozora 3D model; since LTD2 is a game with thousands of characters on a single screen the in-game models are made with performance in mind; our character models were NOT made to be looked at closely, using the lowest polycount possible and tricking your eyes with hand-painted textures. For any timing feedback, I used Adobe Premiere to make my own video feedback.

Thank you Tony, Dan and Jules for the wonderful collaboration, it was a pleasure working together.

Finished product first. I think I started working on the video around March 2021 and it was aired around September 2021, many months after it was done.

Everything starts with blue-sky Ideations! I wrote down possible directions, inspirations, risks things to avoid etc. Catchphrases were important too since we were going to have several blank breather scenes with one-liners for impact.

The first ~3 seconds of the video had to be intriguing. I wanted to use an attractive figure Yozora appearing out of a snowstorm and opening the eye for engagement. We also made a bold soundtrack choice that was hiphop-ish w lyrics and beats.

I added more details and posed her as if she was a wargame miniature. The goal was to bridge the gap for transition from motiongraphic (https://www.artstation.com/artwork/yk8vwx) to 3D scene.

I had an idea of starting with a moving motion graphic into a 3D world of the chessboard to really highlight the strategy aspect of the game. Chess was just becoming a huge hit around this time (thanks to streamers and Queen's Gambit).

Moodboard with collaborators is a crucial process as we need to make sure we have the same vision and goals.

I painted some chessboard examples. We eventually went with more Sci-fi looking chessboard than traditional.

Since the background is so abstract, the lighting had to be good; I made painted explorations for lighting options.

Test rendering came out a bit more like bathroom-tile floor than a translucent, glowing chess board I had visioned, so I sent a PO feedback

We also wanted to show off various Legions (races) and their insignias, so I recorded in-game footage with possible effects for the show-case.

I found it easier to explain the camera angle using a diagram, and I was careful which units were chosen and where it was placed for composition.

Showing off fantasy of various upgrades from a single unit

Buff fantasy scene

Cool scene.jpg. Unit sound effects were provided directly from in-game assets to maximize the immersion.

Diagram was good for communicating basic ideas without having to draw storyboards. This diagram was enough to communicate the kings scene in the end.

The climax and anticipation of the two kings and Legion Lord appearing were important, so I would use screenshot paint-overs to send feedback.

End card layout which was also animated by Vaank. Protip: if you want to make sure something is a placeholder, use Comic Sans font!

Example of my video feedback. First we start with verbal comms to get aligned with the general direction. For polish, it is much easier to share feedback by editing the sample render, esp when it comes to getting the timing with music exactly right.