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Overview
In partnership with Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam, Psyop director duo Todd + Kylie balanced cinematic storytelling and gameplay to create an immersive trailer for Ubisoft’s latest entry in the beloved Anno franchise, Anno 117: Pax Romana.
In close collaboration with the game’s developers, the directors helped shape a piece that’s as true to the title as it is emotionally resonant — featuring in-game sequences enhanced with Psyop’s signature finesse.
The final film is the result of a tightly integrated creative workflow between Ubisoft Mainz, Psyop and W+K Amsterdam.
From camera choreography to environmental layout, what audiences see in the finished piece is largely captured straight from the game. To elevate the visuals further, Psyop built key foreground elements from scratch, including a series of singing statues that Todd + Kylie wove in as a nod to the now-iconic live action teaser featuring the singing town crier. W+K Amsterdam and Ubisoft Mainz composed an original track for the spot, and the directors leaned into the humor of the concept – directing animated performances that balance satire with the sincerity that comes from their specific technical approach
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This project was a chance to reimagine what a game trailer can be
With Psyop's creative teams leveraging Anno’s in-game assets, the collaboration has opened a door to a fresh take on marketing for games — a pipeline where cinematic quality and gameplay integrity are no longer at odds, but synchronized in a shared mission to better shape the way games are introduced, experienced and remembered.
“This project was a chance to reimagine what a game trailer can be,” says Haye Anderson, Brand Director at Ubisoft. “By bringing filmmakers into our engine and crafting the story from the inside out, we created something true to Anno’s soul and refreshingly unexpected for the genre. Because it was made in the studio, it also captures the Anno community’s tone — witty, clever, and downright fun.”
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