Berk's Grapevine

Countdown to Race to the Edge


Watching Race to the Edge Together!

Race to the Edge will be coming out sometime on Friday, most likely at 12 a.m. Pacific Time. This is fairly late (or early) for most Berk's Grapevine visitors, but if you’re willing to completely ruin your sleep schedule for dragons, there is a Race to the Edge discussion chat:

Race to the Edge Discussion Chat
(check back around 11 a.m. Pacific Time)

Although the sidebar countdown timer is set for 12 a.m. Pacific Time, there’s no guarantee the episodes will be out by then! But if you find yourself needing to express your dragon excitement to other dragon fans, check out the chat!


Technology of Race to the Edge

The DreamWorks Dragons series is unique for being one of the few CGI animated television shows. Producing this kind of a show in limited time and with a limited budget has its challenges. To keep costs down, it becomes necessary to limit the kinds of effects used, the number of characters in each shot, and the number of camera moves.

Race to the Edge looks incredible. The look of the show is near feature-quality, with beautiful texturing, impressive lighting, and fairly fluid character animation. Water effects were frequently mentioned as one of the main technological improvements on the show. Manipulating characters underwater and above water is simple, but entering and exiting water or giving characters “the wet look” is difficult.

We should also expect to see new kinds of visual effects, especially snow. For a village where it “snows nine months of the year and hails the other three,” there hasn’t been much snow so far. Race to the Edge promises more wintery episodes, as well as other cool particle and fire effects.


Connecting the Films

Race to the Edge begins a couple years after Defenders of Berk, putting the main dragon riders in their late teens. There are 52 episodes planned for Netflix with 4 episode drops of 13 episodes each over the course of two years. The Netflix series will end right where the second movie begins. Art and Doug compared it to “bowling with bumpers”: they know where they begin and where they end, and must tell a story to connect the two with no loose ends.

This means that eventually, the Dragon Eye will have to come to an end (as will some of the new TV series characters, most likely). Because we and the characters are first introduced to Drago and Valka in the second film, there will likely be no references to them in the series. And unless some of the series characters are written into the third film, it is unlikely that Dagur, Alvin, Trader Johann, and the multitude of Svens will make an appearance outside of the series.

This is the last time we will see Hiccup and Stoick together, so we must treasure it! It seems like there some amount of Hiccup and Astrid romance as well. Unfortunately, not all relationship news is positive. Berk’s Grapevine can confirm that the clearly obvious romantic relationship between Toothless and Stormfly (ah, the lovely Toothfly…) will not be developed in this series. Or ever. I’m sure this is a big disappointment to all of us.


Producing the Show

Releasing all 13 episodes at once changes the kinds of stories that can be told. There’s less of a cost associated with re-introducing plot, characters, or dragons, meaning the show can be more serialized. This allows broader story arcs that span entire 13-episode seasons of Race to the Edge. At the same time, the advantage of a TV show over a film is how easily it can bring in new characters, villains, and dragons.

Although we will see the final product of each season approximately every six months, production of Race to the Edge never stops. Each episode is generally in production for 6-8 months, with work beginning on a new episode every month or so. This means at times, all 13 episodes will be in various stages of production simultaneously.

Apparently, after seeing Race to the Edge, it’s almost shocking to look back at the previous episodes of the previous seasons and how simple, less graphics-oriented, and less textured it is. The current iteration of the show is much more mature looking, just like the characters in it.


School of Dragons

The online multiplayer game School of Dragons is planning on releasing updates for Race to the Edge. There will be a Death Song update coming out soon based on the dragon appearing in the third episode, and new quests based on Race to the Edge, most of them available for free to all School of Dragons users. The Dragon Eye will be somehow involved in School of Dragons, as well as new villains.

School of Dragons is very passionate about including suggestions from fans in the game, and dragon fans have been very vocal in the past about what the game does right or what should be changed. And they also seem to collect fan art that dragon fans have posted on their forum!

84 comments:

  1. First! Haha. I can't wait I'm dedicating my whole Friday to watch Dragons :D

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  2. Scauldy The Scauldron!June 25, 2015 at 3:07 PM

    6.... month delays? :O

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  3. And as for the relationships not positive...I really hope that doesn't involve Hiccup and Astrid as for a big fight. I'll die and I'm pretty sure Im not the only one who would...

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  4. I FOUND A CLIP FEATURING HEATHER!!!

    http://nerdist.com/exclusive-find-out-who-hiccup-is-chasing-in-this-dragons-race-to-the-edge-clip/

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  5. Here are some new videos.

    https://video-fra3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-xfa1/v/t43.1792-2/11389664_618233238314009_71005149_n.mp4?oh=b73d7bae55f6083c162f69a9c8842b99&oe=558C7DE2

    http://nerdist.com/exclusive-find-out-who-hiccup-is-chasing-in-this-dragons-race-to-the-edge-clip/

    And an interactive version of Hiccup's map.
    http://www.dreamworkstv.com/race-to-the-edge/map/

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  6. It is quite long to wait for 13 more episodes! 😢 but as long as its perfect I don't mind... But it is still verrrrry long.

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  7. Thanx for the map! It's quite cool!

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  8. This is so exciting! 10hrs to go!

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  9. ScaryDragonsAndNiceSpritesJune 25, 2015 at 5:01 PM

    I was going to post the second video and put "yeah, it's a chase scene" but no ooo ooo I got beat to the punch.

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  10. This sounds awesome. But I have to say... that it's quite weird that many people would be disappointed because there's not going to be "Toothfly". 'Cause I think shipping Toothless and Stormfly is VERY weird. You don't need to ship them just because Hiccup and Astrid are together. They are different dragon breeds!! I never want to see Toothfly in the franchise so that comment about it only made me happy. But I guess some people will be disappointed. Oh well...

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  11. VelocityTheSpeedStingerJune 25, 2015 at 5:30 PM

    Map: I love how the setting is between Norway, Svalbard, Iceland, and Greenland.
    I can't wait to learn more about what Heather was up too. Her purpose in this season is very confusing from what we've seen so far.

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  12. Thx for the map and the new videos. SOOO AWSOME

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  13. VelocityTheSpeedStingerJune 25, 2015 at 5:43 PM

    They meant that it's not certain we will see much activity involving romantic or relationship-related moments. It doesn't mean there's going to be a couple fighting or break-up.

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  14. hiccupandtoothlesshybridJune 25, 2015 at 6:19 PM

    omg I screamed

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  15. I'm crying. I'M CRYING. WHY AM I CRYING.

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  16. She looks awesome!!

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  17. Oh God, no fights. TV shows do that enough. -_-

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  18. If you watch the clip... she looks very sly before she turns around acting all sweet.

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  19. hiccupandtoothlesshybridJune 25, 2015 at 7:19 PM

    it's going to be a long wait for the next 13 episodes. :( but hey it'll be worth it :)

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  20. For those who do not have Netflix,
    I'm going Season 3 livestream here: http://connectcast.tv/americandragon

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  21. Oh thank goodness. I was like really nervous when they said that xD

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  22. Ikr 2 years to watch 2 seas- well. actually, that seems accurate but 1 year to watch 26 episodes is kind of bleh :(

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  23. Ziggerastica's KalevalaJune 25, 2015 at 10:43 PM

    I've only got one go, so I'll have to wait two years if all goes well.

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  24. Got a headache, hope it goes away. :/ I've been waiting for this...maybe I need sleep sad

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  25. heart attack heart attack (died)
    p.s. like your videos

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  26. Do you need an account to be able to watch the live stream?

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  27. Have anyone seen the new exclusive clip? About heather

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  28. I'm SO excited but I won't be able to watch any for another two days cause my dad's at work till tomorrow and won't let us get Netflix without him and then I go on an expedition with school till Sunday night! So annoying! But I guess it's not to long and I'm sure my weekend will fly by! Fingers crossed!:D

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  29. OMG!!! IT'S AMAZING! And I've just got all excited again...!!!!!!!!:D

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  30. The Whisperer of DeathJune 26, 2015 at 2:37 AM

    No. Where is it?

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  31. The Whisperer of DeathJune 26, 2015 at 2:46 AM

    Wait, nvm

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  32. The Whisperer of DeathJune 26, 2015 at 2:49 AM

    Heather looked awesome

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  33. Saviour of the DragonsJune 26, 2015 at 3:00 AM

    Woohoo!

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  34. welcome back heather its been far to long

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  35. I'm watching a livestream of RTTE! THIS SHOW ROCKS

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  36. The Whisperer of DeathJune 26, 2015 at 5:26 AM

    So am I.
    AND IT LAGS SO MUCH!

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  37. https://41.media.tumblr.com/f7246677040a14faaa9c47842e23fb33/tumblr_nqjnkwKsyo1rkiqugo3_1280.jpg

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  38. It's not anymore

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  39. OMFG WHAT EPISODE IS THAT??????

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  40. the fandom will explode in 3 2 1 https://40.media.tumblr.com/c635a9f4f468e16a88a8e618b832e7e5/tumblr_nqjnkwKsyo1rkiqugo9_1280.jpg

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  41. YOU'RE KILLING ME

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  42. What? Then where'd you find that?

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  43. i know hugs you

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  44. Now, we wait for the next season. ...... Gah, the wait's too long! DX

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  45. I know, right? Now we have to wait six months!

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  46. don't have netflix like me?

    i think this page should help u !

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/180544521969112/1010811318942424/?notif_t=group_activity

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  47. I died when this happened

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  48. When are you gonna livestream it?

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  49. Watch now on http://httyd.uk.to/ !

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  50. oh hiccstrid fans get ready https://40.media.tumblr.com/d3f0a9160ef9e53e095f7fc765306775/tumblr_nqjx6hHoI01rkiqugo2_1280.jpg

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  51. And for the icing on the Hiccstrid picture cake:

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  52. OMG WHAT EPISODE IS THAT?

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  53. OMG why does this show do this to me?

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  54. Am I the only one who thinks there wasn't enough Astrid and Hiccstrid?

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  55. I would agree, but at least they gave us something and didn't totally ignore it. I think there will be more as the seasons progress.

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  56. I'm pretty pleased with the hiccstrid, I only got to episode 4, and I was happy so many times. I dont know how little Hiccstrid they have in the next 9 episodes but, I guess I'll see :) <3

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  57. https://36.media.tumblr.com/437c7aa112640effbc531dfbe4a7fdbd/tumblr_nqjvufO7bQ1rkiqugo3_1280.jpg oh c mon now astrid its clear as day you two are more then friends better watch out or heather could swoop him away jk

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  58. Heather likes Fish anyways.

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  59. fishther huh

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  60. Is anyone else going to watch the show in sperts? It'll last longer that way.:)

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  61. I am, watched the first 4 episodes today, gonna go 4 by 4 probably =)

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  62. I probably should have done that. Watched them all in one night and I'm now bored out of my mind.

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  63. The Whisperer of DeathJune 26, 2015 at 6:30 PM

    THANK YOU!!!

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  64. The Whisperer of DeathJune 26, 2015 at 7:05 PM

    Can I download them or....?

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  65. VelocityTheSpeedStingerJune 26, 2015 at 11:34 PM

    Episode 11.

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  66. VelocityTheSpeedStingerJune 26, 2015 at 11:36 PM

    No. It's "Feather" ;D

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  67. the link does not work

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  68. What a beauty! She now looks like a tough woman instead of deceptive like she once was in the first season! *squeee*

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  69. The Whisperer of DeathJune 27, 2015 at 6:04 AM

    Is there any way to download them?

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  70. If you don't have Netflix, you can watch it here on http://www.watchcartoononline.com for free. First two episodes are already out. Enjoy!

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  71. Wow! She looks really pretty.. She looks like an adult.

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  72. I don't know how to get my way around the site and when I type in keywords but when I press go it doesn't search

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  73. Yeah! It's kinda annoying to wait each year for new episodes.. I hate suspense. Especially what DreamWorks do to dragon fans for this new season.

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  74. Plz stop posting pics!!!!! U r driving me nuts! And the fact that I can't watch this season yet is horrible! I really need to watch it!

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  75. im crying

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  76. Heather was SO right. This is what Heather said, "So you and Hiccup are a thing right?" "I see the way you two look at each other."

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