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Post by doctortomoe on Dec 11, 2015 17:37:06 GMT -5
Huh, well that was... oddly depressing.
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Post by Twillie on Dec 11, 2015 20:39:42 GMT -5
Huh, I don't really know what to say to that. I'm not too familiar with that character, and though I do recognize his design, I can't tell how profound this is on his personality. It's nice to have a change in mood with the animations once in a while, though. |
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Post by Shinko on Dec 11, 2015 21:02:09 GMT -5
Huh, I don't really know what to say to that. I'm not too familiar with that character, and though I do recognize his design, I can't tell how profound this is on his personality. It's nice to have a change in mood with the animations once in a while, though. Even people who read his plot probably wouldn't remember him too well, he's from Journey to the Lost Isle which was... pretty forgettable. And if I remember right Roarke was a side character in that plot anyway so there wasn't a lot to his character. So don't worry about it too much. XD
It is a little somber though, the wide empty streets in the snow. |
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Post by Coaster on Dec 12, 2015 4:24:13 GMT -5
Day 12: You find 699 Neopoints!!! You find a Rotten Wocky Day Cupcake!!!  You also find a Happy Wocky Day Card!!!  These items are available in your inventory. --- Hidden Abominable Snowball: Purple, on the right at the very start until Hubrid walks by it. --- Well... I cannot tell if the worm coming out of the cupcake is supposed to resemble a Mootix or something else, but in any case, it's definitely nice to see that the tradition of a Nox memorial animation is continuing, and it falls on Wocky Day, no less, for MAGAX's benefit, too. xD |
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Post by Duke Pikachu on Dec 12, 2015 16:11:20 GMT -5
Sorry if I'm a bit late with this, I promise after today I'll keep up: Day 1: Chestnuts Roasted On A Open Ice Cream Cart
I know I covered this one, but at the time I was more gushing on how they were doing fully animated animations this year. Let's see if I can be a bit more focused:
Animation: It's okay and an amusing story. Mr. Chipper is having a hard time selling ice cream during the cold season (then again he lives in Terror Mountain so its cold all the time) so instead a Vandagyre comes up to him with chestnuts and so they sell roasted chestnuts instead. JS did their homework with knowing Vandagyre love nuts so a member of their species would be the one to probably suggest the idea. It's a bit odd to see Journey to the Lose Isle characters like Rourke and Hugo Fairweather but I'm going to assume those are just leftover assets they decided to throw in (something which TNT did too).
Gifts: The Mr. Chipper Plushie looks odd but that's mainly because I think the head is too big (not to mention it doesn't look like a Plushie). The book is alright. Okay prizes and they go with the animation. So overall not a bad first day.
Day 2: Snowager Gift Of Hibernation
Animation: Hmm, not sure what's the story behind this one. A Kacheek comes in and takes that odd sad Usul Plushie the Snowager as, the Snowager sees him do this, and after the Kacheek leaves the Snowager is happy and suddenly have Christmas lights decorating his cave? So, what, is this telling me the Snowager is pretending to be in hibernation so that it could give gifts out to Neopians for the holidays? I feel maybe this one needed a few more revisions to get the story more clear. Also I, know its a nitpick, but I notice the sad Usul Plushie is still with the Snowager in the ending despite the Kacheek taking it.
Gifts: Two useless gifts, though one could have been a Furniture item. I suppose those with a Snowager Gallery would like them.
Day 3: Snow Yooyuball AvalancheAnimation: A cute animation. Altador Cup announcers Tobias and Hovri are talking about the AC (mainly to let you know its them... though I didn't realize until it was pointed out. Maybe I would have had Tobias had the Disco Ixi face markings. Also they're talking about AC9 apparently instead of AC10) when they see giant snowballs rolling at them. However it turns out they're just Snow Yooyu who toss presents at them. It's alright though
Gifts: Another book is nice as always. Looking at the Snow Yooyuball Toy I thought I saw it somewhere before. Looking through "Yooyu" items I saw plenty of rolled up Yooyu and thought to myself "it's such a simple design of course it's going to look like other ones". I then spotted this:   (Snow Yooyuball Toy - Yooyuball Tattoo) Now they don't look exactly the same but are pretty close. Well, even if it is traced at least its one of their own items plus with them needing to make 62 new items I can forgive them for that. Day 4: Ninja Throwing Carrots
Animation: Bit of an odd one, but TNT had plenty of their own. Ryshu is I assume training with the Techo Master when he's given 3 carrots. He tosses the carrots and next thing you know they land on 3 snowman giving them carrot noses. One might as how Ryshu was able to throw three carrots from Mystery Island to Terror Mountain, but he's a ninja to shut up. Also I think this is the first bit of original JS art and its... alright. It's choppy obviously though hopefully that's just growing pains and a reason for the choppiness is due to having to make 31 animations (and probably in a rush).
Gifts: Their okay, I guess. Those with a Cybunny Gallery might like them. Kind of wish they featured Ryshu and the Techo Master in some way. Also it would have been kind of neat if the carrots were actually weapons.
Day 5: Waiting of the Bruce
Animation: A rather infamous one on these boards. It's not often we think about Neopet reproduction or that some species would lay eggs, but here we are. A father-to-Bruce is eagerly awaiting for his child's egg to hatch when it starts to shake. He lets it roll on the floor and it hatches into a clapping Baby Bruce. How did the father know it was time for the egg to hatch? Why did he let the egg roll on the floor when it was time? Why wasn't it in a basket of some kind? Where is the mother? Well I could come up with answers to all of those but let's just focus on the miracle of life here and how cute the Baby Bruce is.
Gifts: The background is real nice and another book is always welcomed (one that maybe will answer some of questions, you know, if Neopet books were like real life books).
Day 6: Painting Before & After Meepit
Animation: An interesting one since its punchline is connected directly with the gifts. A Bruce is painting a rather pixel-y Aisha (yeah, now there were some animations before that had some parts of it look pixel-y but this one is th most obvious. I don't know why they didn't quickly re-trace some of these images if they knew they needed bigger versions of the image to work with for the animation. It doesn't affect the animation too much but when you notice it its hard to not see it when it pops up). When done he tells the Aisha about it when suddenly a Snow Meepit angrily throws a snowball at it (why? I don't know, because its a Meepit?). The Aisha and Bruce go over to see the painting when they see...
Gifts: Two other items that probably could have been Furniture but are just useless gift items! Now I like the idea that the gifts are a direct result of the animation, TNT did that too. And the joke is funny as we see the intended painting and what the painting looks like with the snow on it. But still there useless. I suppose for an Aisha Gallery they're a fun set to have in there.
Day 7: A Christmas Volley
Animation: The Mynci Beach Volleyball Mynci are playing volleyball on the beach (hmm, that was kind of redundant to say) when they hit the volleyball up into a palm tree. They go to get it when they have an idea, drawing a star on the volleyball turning the palm tree into a makeshift Christmas tree of sorts. It's cute.
Gifts: Items aren't anything to right home about. At least both are toys so they can be played with though if JS dared to make Furniture items the Fake Palm Tree could have been one. Also kind of wished the volleyball had a star on it like in the animation since otherwise would you guess its from the Advent Calendar?
Day 8: Fishing For Gifts
Animation: A Tuskininny (who's hair is clipping through his hat) is fishing when a Faerie Koi (odd choice of Koi to use but whatever) puts a Rotten Boot on his line (SO HE'S THE REASON WHY! GET HIM! GET HIM AND MAKE HIM INTO SUSHI!). Angry, the Tuskaninny throws the boot back into the water when a present than suddenly plops up to the surface. Another cute animation, though I still want that Koi served with a side of tarter sauce.
Gifts: And everyone's favorite set of gifts to talk about. Getting the fishing pole done quickly, looks nice though I wish it was a bit more seasonal looking (Christmas lights as the lining, star hook, and/or red & green color scheme) and surprisingly original art. But then we get to the boot. I've seen many torn whether the joke is that its a copy rotton boot while others say they could have been more creative (I being in the latter category). But you know what, what's done has been done. All I'll just say is I kind of wish the fishing pole was a wearable and move on.
Day 9: Jacques Holiday Off
Animation: Jacques is relaxing on the beach when he gets a letter in a bottle to find its from the Black Pawkeet asking for help! He rows over to it and get ready for battle... only to find Garin and the other crew were just pulling a surprise Christmas party on him. I like this one, not only does it show JS read through the plot comics but puts some focus on a character who didn't get to do much besides being a damsel in distress; Jacques (they also go the other crew members of the Black Pawkeet right like Talek and two of the ones Garin called Bill, Gordy, & Jim). Overlooking the changing art quality, I question whether the messy appearance of the Black Pawkeet was on purpose to make Jacques think they were in trouble or whether JS were being lazy and pulled it right from the comic (which they did). Also, while I heard of a surprise birthday, I never head of a surprise Christmas but hey I don't think anyone is expecting Christmas on the 9th of December so... surprise!
Gifts: Once again wished the prizes had a bit more to do with the Black Pawkeet crew. I like Message in a Bottle is a book and relates to the animation theme, but the Party Whistle? Okay, its definitely Christmas, but still that could have been something more related to the animation based on the Curse of Maraqua plot.
Day 10: Creepy Clothes Making Usuki
Animation: I'm... confused. We see three Usuls knitting clothes through the night but when morning comes it reveals the Usuls were actually Usuki dolls who made Christmas clothes for their Usul owner. That's not the confusing part; the confusing part is the music. It's dramatic and creepy yet I didn't get that feel from the animation. It also had weird sound effect at parts. I looked through the past AC animations and then remembered where it was from: it's music and sound effects from last year's MAGAX and Hubrid Nox animation. You know, the one where it looks like he's about to strike Nox but just reveals he's making a headstone for him. I have no idea why they used that clip or if they did why they kept the sound effects like MAGAX chipping at he headstone or Nox's happy wails. It's an okay animation, but I think the sound design needed a check as I can't imagine that was what they wanted, right?
Gifts: A Usuki Doll and a good looking pair of gloves wearable. Not bad.
Day 11: Rourke Walks Alone
Animation: Wow, I wasn't expecting a somber animation from JS. Captain Rourke is walking by himself through an empty town street looking a bit glum. He stops and captures a snowflake on his tongue, it sizzling away. Then Rourke continues on his way. And that's it. I think so far this is my favorite one. No, I'm not being a Christmas scrooge but with so many comedic/happy animations its kind of nice to see one which is a bit somber. Tell me you have not felt like Rourke at least once, walking by yourself through an empty street when it's snowing, maybe feeling a bit down. However you then take a second or two to quickly enjoy something, say catching a snowflake on your tongue before continuing on your way. I say it's probably one of the most relatable AC animations. It also fits with Rourke's character. Like they could have had added something in the end like Scrap coming up to him with a scarf he made and they walk together wherever they were going, but I'm impressed they didn't choose to lighten the mood of this one.
Gifts: Kind of wish one of these were Rourke-related. Also the Wreath could have been a Furniture item. However they look nice and would go in any snow, winter, holiday Gallery just fine.
Day 12: MAGAX & Nox
Animation: And now for the annual MAGAX and Nox animation! Okay, at this point these two have turned into Neopets version of The Odd Couple. One's a powerful magical warrior who fight the undead and seeks redemption. The other is a dead necromancer who trained and then betrayed the former. Once mortal enemies, upon the latter's death they're not eternal roommates destined to haunt each other till the end of time. Will they be able to get along?
*MAGAX walks through the door*
MAGAX: Nox-y, I'm home! *canned applause and cheers*
Nox: *Comes out wearing a cooking apron accompanied with canned laughter* Had you have a good day fighting the undead?
MAGAX: Sure did, I suppose you can say I slayed them! *canned laughter*
Nox: Well good to hear, you must be tired so I made a treat for you. *canned "awws"*
MAGAX: Gee wiz, thanks! It looks great!
Nox: Sure does, I even hid a surprise inside...
MAGAX: Sounds dee-lious...
*worm pops out*
MAGAX: GAH! *canned gasps*
Nox: See, weren't you surprise! *canned "oohs"*
MAGAX: Oh you! *everyone laughs*
Announcer: MAGAX & Nox was filmed in front of an undead audience.
Joking aside, I like this one though the ending kind of confused me. Why was Nox upset at the end? Did he want MAGAX to eat the worm? Was he trying to scare MAGAX to death? Well still it was nice to see them continue this tradition, which makes me wonder about the Unfortunate Holiday Ogrin...
Gifts: Hey look, gifts based on characters from the animation! Well just MAGAX (which they misspelled as Magax on the card. Though technically I'm misspelling it too as its actually M.A.G.A.X., and no I don't know what its an abbreviation for. Honestly Magax might as well be his real name) but hey its for Wocky Day and its better than nothing. Also I think this is the first Gross Food that JS might have done. Not bad, wish there was something for Nox but at least we got something for MAGAX/Magax/M.A.G.A.X..
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Post by Shinko on Dec 12, 2015 19:28:58 GMT -5
I could be entirely wrong here but... is it just me or was the art today new? |
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Post by Duke Pikachu on Dec 12, 2015 19:55:36 GMT -5
I could be entirely wrong here but... is it just me or was the art today new?
For the MAGAX and Nox one? Hmm, rewatching it and the previous year's it does look like new art, at least for Nox. If so than much better than previous example of their art. Looks on the level on TNT's quality for the Advent Calendar.
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Post by doctortomoe on Dec 12, 2015 22:01:35 GMT -5
I would watch M.A.G.A.X and Nox.
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Post by Patjade on Dec 13, 2015 2:09:37 GMT -5
Day 3: Snow Yooyuball AvalancheAnimation: A cute animation. Altador Cup announcers Tobias and Hovri are talking about the AC (mainly to let you know its them... though I didn't realize until it was pointed out. Maybe I would have had Tobias had the Disco Ixi face markings. Also they're talking about AC9 apparently instead of AC10) when they see giant snowballs rolling at them. However it turns out they're just Snow Yooyu who toss presents at them. It's alright though
Gifts: Another book is nice as always. Looking at the Snow Yooyuball Toy I thought I saw it somewhere before. Looking through "Yooyu" items I saw plenty of rolled up Yooyu and thought to myself "it's such a simple design of course it's going to look like other ones". I then spotted this: (Snow Yooyuball Toy - Yooyuball Tattoo) Now they don't look exactly the same but are pretty close. Well, even if it is traced at least its one of their own items plus with them needing to make 62 new items I can forgive them for that. Odd. I got the first prize, but the second one was something different.  Advice straight from Neopias most infamous commentator, Tobias Sigmir! This was given out by the Advent Calendar in Y17. Looking at the image data "mall_tattoo_yooyuball.gif" This appears to be a sticking stuffer prize? |
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Post by Coaster on Dec 13, 2015 3:04:17 GMT -5
Day 13: You find 622 Neopoints!!! You find a Handheld Baton!!!  You also find a Spun Web!!!  These items are available in your inventory. --- Hidden Abominable Snowball: At the base of one of the trees, near the start. --- Items with grey backgrounds? :U It's not unprecedented or even bad, of course (consider: ice crystals, Luperus teeth, various Nova items, actually a lot of older weapons in general), just highly unusual, especially on the baton. Speaking of the baton, it seems we have a wearable item that vaguely represents a lightsaber here. Or is it too small? Has anyone tried it yet? xD EDIT: Checked on D2I; it's small enough to be a regular baton, not a lightsaber. Which makes sense, I guess. =P |
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Post by Duke Pikachu on Dec 13, 2015 3:06:28 GMT -5
Day 3: Snow Yooyuball AvalancheAnimation: A cute animation. Altador Cup announcers Tobias and Hovri are talking about the AC (mainly to let you know its them... though I didn't realize until it was pointed out. Maybe I would have had Tobias had the Disco Ixi face markings. Also they're talking about AC9 apparently instead of AC10) when they see giant snowballs rolling at them. However it turns out they're just Snow Yooyu who toss presents at them. It's alright though
Gifts: Another book is nice as always. Looking at the Snow Yooyuball Toy I thought I saw it somewhere before. Looking through "Yooyu" items I saw plenty of rolled up Yooyu and thought to myself "it's such a simple design of course it's going to look like other ones". I then spotted this: (Snow Yooyuball Toy - Yooyuball Tattoo) Now they don't look exactly the same but are pretty close. Well, even if it is traced at least its one of their own items plus with them needing to make 62 new items I can forgive them for that. Odd. I got the first prize, but the second one was something different. Advice straight from Neopias most infamous commentator, Tobias Sigmir! This was given out by the Advent Calendar in Y17. Looking at the image data "mall_tattoo_yooyuball.gif" This appears to be a sticking stuffer prize?
Read what I wrote again. I was comparing the art of the two.
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Post by Ziporen on Dec 13, 2015 3:52:43 GMT -5
Usually wearables that would be difficult to see on a white background have a non-white background in their item image.    Sun Wings - Lighted Globe Garland - White Bright String Lights -- and others. I feel like I should be able to use the baton for someone, but I can't figure it out who. P: At least it looks nice for something so simple, even if I can't use it. |
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Post by Huntress on Dec 13, 2015 6:53:31 GMT -5
The baton gives me Harry Potter wand vibes if anything. Might look really nifty on a pet who's customized around a wizard/magical type persona and has a dark background of some sort. All of my main account pets are quad so handheld items generally don't work too well for them (with the notable exception of the Sword of Ice and Fire from GMC which looks metal as heck when applied to a quadruped pet).
Also, the music for today's animation is the most amazing disney-christmas-remix-esque earworm ever :'D I want a full-length version of that. |
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Post by Patjade on Dec 13, 2015 7:58:35 GMT -5
Odd. I got the first prize, but the second one was something different. Advice straight from Neopias most infamous commentator, Tobias Sigmir! This was given out by the Advent Calendar in Y17. Looking at the image data "mall_tattoo_yooyuball.gif" This appears to be a sticking stuffer prize?
Read what I wrote again. I was comparing the art of the two.
My mistake. I thought you were commenting on the Advent prizes. |
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Post by Duke Pikachu on Dec 13, 2015 9:22:38 GMT -5
Patjade :
I did comment on the Advent Calendar prizes for that day. Is something confusing you in what I wrote?
Day 13: Spyder Choir
Animation: Well today was a bit of a strange. Not in the animation, but in the music. I never quite heard the phrase Ho ho ho" turned into an electronic song. Despite the weirdness it was okay and cute.
Gift: The wearable baton looks nice, can see players using that as a baton or maybe a wand. The Spun Web is a bit of an odd item. I guess it makes for a sort of macabre holiday greeting gift?
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