Anna-Logue: Balancing Issues

Inhaus has taken to deploying his two trustiest interns, Risk and Reward, to monitor his new gameplay testing initiatives. The inseparable duo watch keenly as a new, inquisitive(possibly artificial?) playtester known as 'Anna' tries tirelessly to figure out the solution to the experiment. To their detriment, Anna is prone to finding more 'practical' solutions...
Risk was voiced by me and Reward by my sister, MegentaLIVE
Original script written by Meg.
Some textures were taken from Chao Race, as well as SFX used from Wario World and Battle for Bikini Bottom.

[@MachoBoyANIM]

The music used in this short: soundcloud.com/machoboyanim/petty-puzzle

[@BrancoDemonio]

I still trying to understand how to pass this with just a ice cube, a firecamp and a fucking canon.

[@BrancoDemonio]

Ooohhh, now i get it.

[@littlebilly]

Thanks so much!

[@somerandomguyontheinternett]

Thank you, I love it!

[@Cookie-William]

Yay

[@SourGummiWyrm69]

can we even call it a net zero game mechanics gain? she didn't learn what she was meant to, but that's probably one of the most powerful things, what she just learned by accident

[@MachoBoyANIM]

It's emergent gameplay!

[@prorandocopier7945]

Well, they need to make it so she feels like SHE learns from experience so she can experiment and think the things the game wants you to do is what SHE made!

[@ianthehedgehog9327]

Although if you accidentally throw the thing off the map and you end up falling off yourself, you're gonna game over since there's no spawn point on the map anymore. The thing de-spawns once it falls off. This is an even bigger lesson: the most powerful moves are often the riskiest as well.

[@tomashernandez3076]

Learning the wrong lessons, my favorite part of picking up a new game

[@lisatroiani6119]

@@ianthehedgehog9327 well, that ice cube respawned when it was pushed off, what’s to say the flag doesn’t respawn too?

[@SrPelo]

I love the designs so much!!!! Even the voice acting! it really sounds like those old games!! and the animation when the button is pressed is soo good!!!!! Press 6 for >: (

[@MachoBoyANIM]

Pelo finding easter eggs in my work?? _I can't think of any higher honor..._ ILY Pelo

[@MegentaLive]

this is how you know you've done well

[@SillyGooberRat_Z]

CONGRATULATIONS MACHO! YOU'VE SUCCESSFULLY CAPTURED A -SR PELO - whatcha plan on doing? >free the pelo >Cherish the pelo >Keep him forever ¡¡¡Sr.Pelo!!! De ninguna manera esto es simplemente increíble bahahah... ¡Tengo que estar de acuerdo en que esta animación es simplemente una delicia! Lo encontré mientras revisaba tu Twitter jajaja. Solo espero más actualizaciones de meses espeluznantes. He estado revisando Patreon casi todos los días, ¡espero que estés bien!

[@bobbyinohio420]

pelo do you like skibidi

[@-Poka-]

outside of your noisy funni personality, you do have a good taste of art. ^^

[@Stage-Fryte]

I love how bouncy it is, if only more retro art let the characters squash and stretch more

[@MachoBoyANIM]

YES DUDE! Let the polygons BREATHE

[@trashtrash2169]

Mario in SM64 did that.

[@Stage-Fryte]

@@trashtrash2169 Exactly, so it's a shame a lot of more recent 64-esque animations overlook how versatile the low poly look can be.

[@Dreaming-Void]

I wonder how they made them squish.. :0

[@Stage-Fryte]

@@Dreaming-Void I can only speak from personal experience, but I usually scale the the armature to get a similar effect to how you would squash and stretch a 2d drawing

[@__eepycore]

The moment where Anna jumps off and lands on the button is some of the most satisfying animation I’ve seen recently.

[@MachoBoyANIM]

You can thank Hi-Fi Rush for inspiring that.

[@marti6021]

@@MachoBoyANIMmy man! Making good animation AND having good taste❤

[@Josuh]

I feel like it extended my lifespan

[@dreamycream7850]

@@MachoBoyANIMthe way the camera pans, the little impact effects, it’s beautiful

[@LordOfNeutralityThe5th]

look at the likes amount bro

[@KoshakiDev]

0:05 So, what I think Risk thought Anna was supposed to do was: - Push the block towards the cannon - Lift the block and load it inside the cannon - Grab 1 fire on a stick from the campfire - Aim the cannon towards the target - Light the cannon - The block hits the target and falls on the button - The door opens If this was supposed to be a tutorial level, it IS too challenging for a beginner like Anna.

[@zerogyoro4521]

Isn't much to put buttons over the interaction items for clearify how could be the things by deduction... You think? 😂

[@joshuapettersson2623]

would also explain how the flag landed right beside the button when it was thrown so far to the side, aim assist for the cannon to not make it too hard to aim at the button

[@sloft-70]

I know this game isn't supposed to be fair, but this isnt sightreadable! Anna-Logue really should think of their new players.

[@LeOwwAndRose]

The new character ost video explains this a bunch Risk and Reward are good at making levels with very limited mechanics, but they also have a tendency to sometimes add TOO much or make it too complicated.

[@BobbinRobbin777]

Too many mechanics to try and comprehend all at once.

[@planetJane]

I liked when she got yelled at and turned into a living 🥺 emoji for a second. Relatable defense mechanism.

[@megaman4354]

i cant see the emoji :(

[@planetJane]

@@megaman4354 it's the "pleading" face

[@megaman4354]

@@planetJane o XD

[@horrornumber]

what the hell is this extremely charming artstyle and character design?.. amazing

[@bignerd3783]

i think its a reference to old pixar kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6bLfpKJis2Xl9k

[@SuperCartoonist]

@@bignerd3783 Looks more like Sega Saturn style.

[@Horoks-C34]

R34 already sharpens it's fangs on it.

[@somerandomguyontheinternett]

dude....@@Horoks-C34

[@noobplaye1218]

​@@SuperCartoonist It reminds me of the N64 Games.

[@insanemindset2667]

I love the use of the Spongebob Battle for Bikini Bottom sound effects. Really adds to the cute and cartoony quality of this amazing animation.

[@MachoBoyANIM]

THQ knew how to make a diverse sound library.

[@GaskRaki]

Don't think I didn't notice that Wario World/Treasure sound effect, either

[@richardpulido4624]

​@MachoBoyANIM Are you actually working with THQ to fund the actual game?

[@Space-ious]

1:20 I love how distressed he is. Like he REALLY wanted her to do it correctly before moving on

[@doodley3d]

This was super delightful!!! I love the idea of an animated series that not only authentically looks and feels like an old N64/PS1 game, but is set in one. Scratches my brain in a really nice way.

[@megaman4354]

how is bro

[@Nemiitix]

Omg doodley it's thje blender tuntorial guy!11 That rigging video you made was really nifty! i'd download blender immediately and try but the net is shit where im staying rn

[@MachoBoyANIM]

It's you!! I LOVED your video on IK rigs! Kinda specific BUT it ABSOLUTELY came in handy for a project. Cheers!

[@doodley3d]

@@MachoBoyANIM AYY YEAH!!! TY! Excited to see what you do next!!

[@Somerandomjingleberry]

@@doodley3dlook at you, seeing the goal you set out to achieve unfolding in real time. It’s not often someone gets to really experience the fruits of their labor like that!

[@zippydoda8317]

Never have i been emotionally invested into a character this fast

[@MachoBoyANIM]

Brainrot any%

[@apalo0920]

real

[@sporepics]

​@@MachoBoyANIM Foul.

[@sweebusprime7953]

Everyone’s talking about the animation (which is fantastic don’t get me wrong), but I’d also like to point out that the vocal delivery of the last section was really great. Risk coming in with “ANA!” was perfect, you can hear the immense worry in his voice.

[@MachoBoyANIM]

In truth, we were doing improv takes to sound confused when Anna 'solves' the puzzle. By the end of the recording, sis and I were in a laughing fit and as a spontaneous cherry on top, I just shouted "ANNA!" We ended up using that take.

[@loserssuite]

​@@MachoBoyANIM dude your voice acting is top notch i love risk and reward sm ❗️❗️

[@loserssuite]

and the sound compression is the cherry on top

[@darks_arts]

Love the duality of Risk and Reward! Ones a triangle pointing down the other is a triangle pointing up, one has keys on them and the other has key holes, as well as the fire and ice thing! Characters that are designed to be next to one another are simply peak!!

[@MachoBoyANIM]

YES! Polarized characters are PEAK DESIGN

[@quinnmaster504]

One having tiny legs and one having tiny arms

[@joshjo9405]

Also Risk has arms but no legs and Reward has legs but no arms (her shoulders kinda work as arms tho)

[@quinnmaster504]

@@joshjo9405 that's what I'm saying

[@darks_arts]

yeee they have so so many polarized design things taht honestly we could be here all day listin them out ! @@joshjo9405

[@329link]

I hate when an animation makes me want to play a game that doesn't exist. This looks like it would be an incredibly charming retro puzzle game!

[@apalo0920]

YES!

[@Misdpeling]

I mean.. the creator DOES want to turn this into a game

[@ArjunTheRageGuy]

@@Misdpeling So I guess the animation is like some proof of concept b4 turning it into an actual game.

[@helenariley5657]

0:48 really captures the feel of playing an old ps1 game, not being able to Jump over small obstacles.

[@MakerOfTheImaginatives]

Also for people who did not know what Risk said when Anna ran to get her reward: "This is not how its done!, This is not how it supposed to go!"

[@freezingjazzy]

Maybe this was accidental maybe this was purposeful but I like how the characters voices are compressed! Really encapsulates the old game quality vibe! Also, Anna is precious.

[@MachoBoyANIM]

The original idea was to give it some effect, but it was good as is in my opinion. And yes, we love Anna in this house.

[@Dancio253]

it really gives just enough compression to sound like a game from that era, but not too much that it sounds bitcrushed. Reminds me of Parappa the Rapper and Ratchet and clank for the ps1.

[@caellanmurphy4751]

@@Dancio253 R&C was ps2

[@PreviouslyEldritch]

I love how she's as curious as a newborn child

[@megaman4354]

maybe older than that

[@powerofsalad5379]

this is incredible, all these character designs are simply fantastic. i especially love all the expressions you gave ana and all the little effects that animate around the buttons and when she spins and such. you're making something great here!

[@MachoBoyANIM]

EHE THANKS! I have to give credit to Hi-fi Rush for showing me how effective line effects are in games. My GOTY, personally.

[@redluster3784]

Man, the design of each character is just so incredibly charming, their personalities well displayed too. Anna just RADIATES n64 protag energy with how they're built with spheres, having that process of testing everything and eventually breaking it like a real player would. Risks points and fires really sell the dangerous nature of who he is and how he motivates others by giving them a push, as well as the kind of developer that carefully constructs his game to ensure that there's a certain way it's supposed to be done. Reward is a much more relaxed overall design like she's the kind mother to Risks passionate fathering, she also embodies that kind of developer that's genuinely happy to see things get done in creative never thought of before ways. You can really, REALLY see this when that flag is thrown, Risk is confused and shocked that his expertly planned level was so easy to break, whilst reward looks excited to see this entirely out of the box thinking being done by Anna. Overall a fantastic animation!

[@MachoBoyANIM]

Thank you! Subtle characterization is one of my favorite things to do in animating. It really picks up where a script can drop something.

[@zerogyoro4521]

Even Risk say it when Anna goes to the reward 😂.

[@Pikm4n]

This is the best animation i've ever seen! Never before have i seen 64 bit characters be so expressive!! Thank you for giving this era of gaming the attention it deserves!

[@MachoBoyANIM]

It was AMBITIOUS! -And so am I-

[@ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy6273]

Now THIS is how you do a PS1 graphic series without using an underlying "horror" theme. Just lovely animation with quirky characters and a wholesome welcoming aesthetic. Please have it be like a new puzzles for anna to solve while goin on her adventure to beat her game!

[@BitteMann]

1:05 Wario World's Button Pressing Sound.

[@yeedog6145]

I love how Risk(?)/the fire guy, yells out to Anna in the fashion of "Wait! You didn't learn the right lesson, come back!"

[@cjs_v.j.6350]

I love how the name of the boss guy could refer to In house development, with Risk and Reward obviously refer to the oldest form of gratification for playing video games and how their movements reflect their elements with Risk moving wavily like fire and Reward flowing like water. Very cute, excited to see more from you!

[@MachoBoyANIM]

OH BOY you're gonna LOVE the rest of the names.

[@killstrike-zn1lv]

Also, Risk's "pins" on his chest resemble keys, and Reward's dress patterns have blue lock shapes!

[@megaman4354]

​​@@killstrike-zn1lv aw hell nah

[@bread64]

0:40 my heart

[@MegentaLive]

Im so happy how this turned out and also happy i could help :D

[@strionic770]

Both you and your brother did a bang up job on the voice acting! The animation is of course the highlight, but everything great about the sound design is easy to notice, too.

[@MegentaLive]

@@strionic770Thank you! we didnt have the best particular set up and we both arent pros but im gald you like it!

[@insanemindset2667]

@@MegentaLive Don’t sell yourself short. Despite you not being pros, you both played your roles perfectly and with clear high-quality voice lines. That’s already way more than what one would have as a first attempt at an indie animation

[@MegentaLive]

@@insanemindset2667 thank you! that means a lot to me :)

[@Arcad3n]

Your voice was amazing in this! Incredibly good line delivery and comedic timing, on top of giving the role a really sweet and endearing quality. You nailed it!!

[@justsumdood8351]

I can tell this series is gonna be a praised by everyone

[@CyanSoups]

I love Risk's design. He looks like the best boss battle from an actual unreleased N64 game.

[@thelivingglitch1371]

I would still ABSOLUTELY play a legitimate game like this. Get a team on it.

[@MachoBoyANIM]

A team? How could I MANAGE?

[@thelivingglitch1371]

@@MachoBoyANIMI dunno, but I’d support you all the way.

[@LokiThePug]

Idk why but the fire dude acts like a dad to Anna while the girl acts like her weird sis

[@maulmemes]

Ah yes, the classic "Loading screens that take advantage of being one frame to add as much detail as their PCs can handle"

[@thepopo592]

this is literally a jackpot series, this is gonna take off like crazy.

[@fleebogazeezig6642]

With series like this, ENA, and The Amazing Digital Circus, I think Y2K video game aesthetics are really taking off.

[@dmnspwn9800]

00:19 "INTRUDER ALERT- THERES FIRE ON OUR HAND"

[@AoDahRoh21404]

RED SPY IN THE BASE?

[@kshroom]

WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR HAND

[@eldritchboi2695]

YO A LITTLE HELP HERE?

[@dmnspwn9800]

fire, Fire, FIRE

[@spamlorddooomba]

I love how expressive all their motions where, I am excited to see where this goes.

[@MachoBoyANIM]

I love doing expressions.

[@pubcle]

The voices are honestly perfect for this. They're very armature, but that adds to the charm in this case because it fits the whole concept as an early 3d video game. It has some of that ambitious studio going a bit over its own head and not having the resources to polish everything sorta vibe.

[@MegentaLive]

that is EXACLTY what happend

[@keeganbeard1748]

This is so adorable! And i live the character designs and animation! I just loved all of it!

[@philoc7063]

This is incredibly creative, I cannot wait to see your future animations!! I love how the camera moves like a game as well, when she hit the button it looked exactly like how I'd imagine it revealing the exit was unlocked

[@MachoBoyANIM]

Just a dash of programmer art in the product, for authenticity.

[@HiddenOde]

the fact that Anna's eyelashes are part of her pupils is kinda freaky methinks

[@MrMetal-xe8lg]

This really tells a story. Love the characters designs.

[@yourpalemerald4661]

KZbin Recommended really hit it out of the park here. I love this artstyle and your animation style after seeing but one video. Cannot commend you enough.

[@MachoBoyANIM]

Hoping you look forward to the next world's iteration!

[@benji-menji]

2 months loading time is pretty good considering the puzzle and characters were designed and animated live while on the loading screen.

[@MachoBoyANIM]

Maybe the disc was scratched...

[@Westile]

The way she sprints but barely moves forward is a nice touch. Very early Sega 3D.

[@chillbizz74]

PS1/N64/DS Graphics just have so much charm honestly.. I love this artstyle!

[@MachoBoyANIM]

Dreamcast is the APEX!

[@whitros_whitbros3653]

the fact that anna can just break the laws of a game by just throwing the spawnpoint into the finishing button is just so overpowered

[@m6gnum684]

I hope this video gets some millions of views it deserves

[@gumbothegreat4596]

omg her run at the end... shes so precious

[@Modtro64]

This is incredibly cute, and I love how it looks like something you'd see on a 5th Generation Console.

[@I.Vivian.I]

0:58 Big brain moment

[@oliviareillyyoutube6652]

I love how the fire guy’s design has keys as a pattern and the water lady has keyholes as a pattern

[@bwtrickster]

The cube is a ice cube which contains a cannon ball so she would have to carefully push it over to the fire and put in the cannon and aim it at the sign so that it's bumps off the sign into the button

[@bluesheepredanimationskind7690]

Absolutely no idea what any of this is but I really love it the animation is great and this whole thing is very charming You managed to capture the exact style and feel of these older type games while still managing to make it expressive and animated and i really love anna's 2d facial expressions‼️‼️

[@Thaereos12]

0:53 that's the angry facebook face

[@NuclearRaven13]

for some reason, Risk's voice reminds me of the dude from crazy taxi. You know, the guy that goes "HEY HEY HEY, IT'S TIME TO MAKE SOME CRAZY MONEY"

[@MachoBoyANIM]

CRAZY TAXI MENTIONED

[@bluelightstudios6191]

I have an idea of how it went: 1. Push the ice block onto the fire pit and it will drop a match. 2. The match will immediately be lit by the fire so you need to quickly move and light the cannon before it goes out. 3. Aim the cannon up in the air, fire yourself towards the target and fall down onto the button. 4. If you either let the match burn out or mess up the cannon then the water fall you grabbed the ice block out from will freeze a new ice cube again and you'll have to start the process all over until you succeed.

[@LandonEmma]

1:11 No way that is the Kaze Emanuar style Mario 64 font.

[@CesarSaladBowl]

Everything thing about this series is so cozy and charming that it’s just unreal. The style of the late 90’s-games is really perfect here and i can’t get enough of it. Also Anna is the most adorable thing since ever.

[@ember_does]

I definitely want to see more of risk and reward, their designs and voices are so good

[@MegentaLive]

thanks!

[@DanBTD]

This whole animation feels so lively. All the movements and micro expressions perfectly communicate the personalities of these characters. I have know them for 1:28 seconds but love them all already. Its really inspiring to see a youtube journey like this. Making original animations for youtube for so long no caring about any trending topics but just doing what you want to do. And then finally after so long you make something that people truly connect with and which you also care about. I think that is the dream for many artists me included so i wish you the best and cant wait for more

[@Hollowed_Trinity]

i love everything about this about this so much, i am happy this got recommended to me on CHRISTMAS!

[@Memin_2_]

Im so glad i found this

[@Mcbuzzerr]

This is so charming and adorable! I love the retro vibe!

[@charleslovell5315]

This animation just screams PS1 energy, the characters are so well animated and just oozes charm and personality. Also, you didn’t tell me that Fireboy and Watergirl were gonna cameo in this video 😂

[@MachoBoyANIM]

I'ma sucker for Flash games, I guess.

[@bluesky_cupy5158]

They grew up :D

[@ShockedTaiLung]

I love these character designs

[@sunny-vb9pu]

oh my gosh, this is what i wanted digital circus to look like! you have that 90s game cutscene movement down pat! ❤❤❤

[@creatorbot0056]

Anna is that one player that manage to break everything outside of dev expectation

[@theopoldthegamer4284]

I love the way the camera turns at 1:06, it feels so familiar

[@johnersey]

It's very paper mario

[@gooburr411]

Holy shit this is good. Like the charm! The character designs! The animation! The artstyle! 11/10

[@augustday9483]

A puzzle game where you have to move your respawn point to get around obstacles, now that's an interesting idea.

[@YourPoopDealer]

I love this so much! You did the old school 3D adventure game look and feel so well, it feels like it actually came from one, especially the way things sound. I'm excited to see where you go with this!

[@saltyfinalboss]

what a beautiful and charming animation!! i really love how the camera moves in 0:58 - 1:09 and the way Risk & Rewards animations freeze as soon as she hits the button - really gives it that game vibe!! the character designs are really lovely as well. thank you for making this and sharing it!!

[@gabrielajanki9167]

This is AMAZING! As a huge fan of classic games, as well as games emulating the classics of old, this is right up my alley!

[@Arcad3n]

Everything about this is fantastic. The animation is extremely fluid and expressive without overdoing it. The character designs are so fun to look at. I love the way the characters talk in this. The line delivery and audio effects are very time period accurate, and the way the blue character’s VA delivered the lines is so pleasing and soothing to listen to. Oh man and the pre rendered loading screen?? Aaahhh I need more!!

[@elumbreonespacial4361]

I love how the 8/16 bit nostalgia is turning into Playstation/Nintendo 64 nostalgia.

[@macksryder4398]

The charm and weird nostalgic feeling have made me watch this like 8 times already. Very well done, and here's to hoping for more of Anna's adventures. Lol

[@vazk-thret]

Anna is so adorable... GAH MY HEART_

[@robot_bomb6568]

The way the characters look feels straight out of a abandoned N64 game Being glued to the N64 controller in the old days i love how much effort it was put into this video Even if its 1 minutes and a half long

[@fletch4231]

This looks like Roly-Polie-Olie and I’m here for it, goated animation style and characters

[@Leet-iz2fz]

Most comments I see already cover whatever praise I could give, so instead I'll take a crack at the intended solution. Put the cube in the cannon. Point the cannon at the target. Use the fire to light the fuse. The cannon will fire the cube into the target and lower the walls, allowing you to simply walk onto the button and win. Am I close?

[@MegentaLive]

good idea but not really close

[@Leet-iz2fz]

@@MegentaLive oof 😔

[@MegentaLive]

@@Leet-iz2fz i feel you i had no idea what it was until macho told me

[@arnoldinigov.pascual617]

I love how you actually included that Anna's loading render would be different from her in-game (or I guess in-animation) model, like how almost all PS1 Box Art or Promo renders always have more polygons than the actual game, and love the glossy heavy shadows look on that render, it's accurate as all hell

[@DanielSanchez-fs1nv]

Super nostalgic for a person like me who grew up with the PS1/Dreamcast, awesome job.

[@Oizahk]

The glee in Anna's face as she does a flip into the abyss is what I will cherish for a long while

[@user-ng5cy3fd5y]

Can’t wait wait to see if there is going to be more

[@RoseSupreme]

Mate, you could totally be the next big Indie Animation star! A series inspired by obscure experimental PS1 games that are so full of charm would be awesome to see as a full-blown webseries!

[@Curiouscritter]

this is almost like someone just trying to figure out a game, and then they do it right just not how indented. i love this so much

[@Sentay0]

I can't stop watching it, I think this'll be the 8 or 9th time

[@JJukes14]

Bro this is looking so fire the animation is super!🔥🔥 The voice actors for risk and reward are great! Also the way Anna jumped off the cliff after realizing what she had done was fantastic😂

[@SudoBurger]

I have no idea how you could turn a bunch of low-poly blobs into something so cute and expressive. Instant fan

[@CesarTorres61296]

I love the Spongebob BFBB sound effects.

[@PauloK3tchup]

oh this looks amazing i love this

[@Wack910]

0:12 YEET

[@random_art-socool]

dang, fireboy and watergirl for the ps1 looks really good, surprisingly smooth animation and useful secret cheats are something id thought id never see from a ps1 game

[@pjgamer780]

I have no clue what the story is here but I'm loving this so much

[@maplebaconz2122]

SHE'S SO CUTE

[@chamberkingston7609]

When this series takes off, expect someone to make a fan game that tries to recreate the feel this animation gives off, like Little Runmo! ...or don't. That way, you aren't disappointed when no one decides to make a game.

[@MachoBoyANIM]

There's gonna be a game alright. And it's gonna be from _my hands!_ -But I mean fanart is always nice-

[@LSMakes]

I like the artstyle of it being a classic 2000s videogame. Amazing work! Hopefully this will be brought to a game sometime!

[@D_Evelyn_cat]

Remember kids anger is always a viable answer to your problems

[@crafterthecrafster4799]

The idea of manipulating where your check point was and moving it somewhere so you can solve the puzzle honestly sounds so interesting as a game concept. Like throwing your check point flag for example to a higher elevation and then intentionally fall off the ledge to spawn back at the flag sounds like a fun mechanic for puzzle solving and thinking outside of the box. I would honestly like to see that as a fully realized game and seems like fun to play.

[@thecoolmf5297]

diives, minus8 and other r34 artists: *slow motion group walk*