Sony's team presented us with a vision to reboot the Smurfs, aiming for a nostalgic response from adults and an enchanting introduction for children to the magical world. They sought to showcase the video of their remodeled 3D characters and desired an interactive engagement—a game to spotlight their beloved lead character, Smurfette.
Company:
Sony
Industry:
Entertainment
Services:
Custom Game
Date:
2018
In the brainstorming session for their custom engagement, I pitched several ideas. They sought a quick, easy-to-learn, fun, and vibrant mini-game that would showcase the enchanting world of the Smurfs. The idea that resonated with them was a 'Where’s Waldo-esque' game. Players had just a few seconds to find Smurfette in a bustling scene I designed, featuring many characters from the movie. Find her, and you win; fail, and you get a visit from the movie’s villain. But fear not, you can keep playing the game until you spot her.
This project offered me the chance to explore one of the most beautiful color palettes provided by a creative agency. We had access to an abundance of assets—digitally hand-illustrated backgrounds, 3D files for each character, key art for packaging, enhanced stills for video commercials, and a wealth of high-resolution imagery. They even provided vector-based SVGs whenever possible. Learning how they organized and constructed this imagery provided valuable insights, enhancing my skills in handling diverse file types and art styles, resulting in a cohesive final product.
The campaign rekindled a fondness for Smurfs and their fairy tale, resonating with tens of thousands. The game was designed for easy repurposing, ensuring swift adaptations with other brands for future campaigns.
