Poked Studio has released a 16-minute animated pilot titled Pokedbots Delta City, a robot drama set in vibrant Neo-Tokyo. The story follows two robotic friends who, after a night of partying, end up in trouble after getting drunk on energy drinks. Created by three animators in Cardiff using Blender and a limited budget, the short film bets on a straightforward narrative and striking visual style.
Blender and three animators: the engine behind the robotic chaos 🤖
The Cardiff team used Blender as their main software to model, texture, and animate every scene of Delta City. With only three people in charge, the process involved optimizing resources: from Neo-Tokyo's night lighting to the robots' movements. The limited budget forced practical decisions, such as using modular assets and reusable animation cycles. The result is a 16-minute pilot that prioritizes visual fluidity over extreme detail, showing what a small group can achieve with accessible tools.
Drunk on battery: when robots imitate humans 🍻
Watching two robots stagger through Neo-Tokyo after a few cans of energy drink is amusing. The premise suggests that, even in a high-tech future, the same old problems persist: bad nighttime decisions and metallic hangovers. It's not a deep reflection on artificial intelligence, but an excuse to see chassis and LED lights collide amid urban chaos. At least no one has to worry about the next day's hangover.