The question “When was Murder Drones made?” often arises from fans of animated web series, sci-fi enthusiasts, and even drone hobbyists intrigued by its high-octane aerial action. Murder Drones, created by Liam Vickers and produced by Glitch Productions, is a dark horror-comedy series featuring rogue autonomous drones in a post-apocalyptic world. While not a documentary on real-world UAVs, its depiction of hyper-agile, weaponized quadcopters has sparked interest in actual drone technology. The pilot episode dropped on October 29, 2021, marking the official start of production visibility, but the project’s roots trace back further. In this article, we’ll timeline its creation, explore the tech parallels to modern drones, and connect it to advancements in flight systems, cameras, and aerial filmmaking.
Origins and Development Timeline
Pre-Production Beginnings (2018–2021)
The concept for Murder Drones germinated around 2018 when Liam Vickers, a solo animator, began sketching ideas for a story about disassembly drones—killer machines hunting worker drones. Early development involved storyboarding intense chase scenes reminiscent of FPV drones in racing competitions. By 2020, Vickers pitched it to Glitch Productions, known for Meta Runner and Tafti, securing funding for full animation.
Production ramped up in early 2021, with voice acting and asset modeling completed by mid-year. The animation pipeline drew inspiration from real drone dynamics, like rapid maneuvers and sensor-based targeting, mirroring obstacle avoidance systems in consumer UAVs. The pilot’s rendering took months on high-end GPUs, akin to processing 4K footage from gimbal cameras.
Pilot Release and Series Launch (2021)
On October 29, 2021, the 22-minute pilot premiered on the Glitch Productions YouTube channel, amassing millions of views overnight. This date is widely considered “when Murder Drones was made public,” though backend production spanned two years. The episode showcased disassembly drones with glowing visors and extendable weapons, their flight physics echoing quadcopters stabilized by brushless motors and IMUs.
Post-pilot, full episodes entered production. Episode 1 aired January 7, 2022, followed by Episode 2 on March 11, 2022, and so on, with a irregular schedule due to the small team’s workload. As of 2024, seven episodes are out, with the finale anticipated soon.
Animation Tech Parallels to Real Drone Systems
Flight Simulation and Stabilization
Murder Drones‘ aerial battles rely on precise 3D animation software like Blender, simulating drone flight paths with physics engines. This mirrors real stabilization systems in drones, such as PID controllers that dampen vibrations for smooth hovers. In the series, drones execute barrel rolls and dives akin to racing drones, powered by algorithms preventing flips—much like Betaflight firmware in FPV setups.
Animators studied real UAV telemetry to authenticate movements. For instance, the disassembly drones’ aggressive pursuits resemble AI follow mode, where cameras track subjects autonomously. Vickers incorporated lag effects from delayed sensor data, highlighting how GPS drift could doom a drone in combat.
Cameras and Visual Effects
The series’ cinematic drone cams use dynamic angles, pulling from aerial filmmaking techniques. Virtual 4K cameras capture POV shots with fisheye distortion, similar to GoPro Hero Camera feeds in FPV goggles. Thermal-like effects for night scenes nod to thermal imaging sensors on enterprise drones like the DJI Matrice series.
Particle effects for explosions and debris leverage GPU acceleration, paralleling real-time rendering in autonomous flight apps. Optical zoom simulations during chases evoke optical zoom lenses on gimbals, allowing seamless target locks without losing frame rate.
Impact on Drone Culture and Innovation
Fan Creations and Real-World Builds
Murder Drones ignited a subculture of drone builders recreating series props. Enthusiasts mod micro drones with LED visors and foam blades, testing in arenas. YouTube tutorials blend episode clips with DJI Mini 4 Pro flights, mimicking Uzi’s evasion tactics. This crossover boosted interest in UAVs, with forums discussing how series drones could integrate sensors like LiDAR for murder-proof navigation.
Communities like Reddit’s r/MurderDrones host drone sim challenges using Liftoff or VelociDrone, training pilots for cinematic shots. The hype parallels Drone Racing League events, where speeds hit 100mph—echoing the show’s frenetic pace.
Ties to Broader Drone Accessories and Tech
Producing animations like Murder Drones requires hardware akin to drone kits. Animators use controllers with joysticks for keyframing flights, while rendering farms mimic batteries management for sustained compute power. Propellers analogies appear in fan drones, with carbon-fiber upgrades for agility.
Innovation-wise, the series spotlights remote sensing for reconnaissance, inspiring mapping projects with mapping drones. Glitch’s use of procedural generation for drone swarms foreshadows AI-driven fleets in agriculture or search-and-rescue.
| Key Milestones | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Concept Sketched | 2018 | Liam Vickers’ initial ideas |
| Pitched to Glitch | 2020 | Funding secured |
| Pilot Released | Oct 29, 2021 | YouTube premiere |
| Episode 1 | Jan 7, 2022 | Series proper begins |
| Latest Episode (7) | Aug 2024 | Ongoing production |
Future Prospects: Drones in Storytelling
Lessons for Aerial Filmmaking
Murder Drones exemplifies how fiction drives drone tech adoption. Its flight paths—sweeping orbits, Dutch angles—teach creators using DJI Avata for immersive FPV films. Creative techniques like slow-mo dives highlight cinematic shots, blending horror with precision.
As production continues, expect VR integrations, letting viewers pilot drones in the Murder Drones universe via apps. This blurs lines between animation and sims like DroneBlocks.
Real Drones Evolving from Sci-Fi
The series underscores gaps in current tech: no drone packs nanite acid guns, but payload delivery systems evolve. With navigation improving via RTK GPS, autonomous swarms could soon resemble the show’s hordes. Innovations in cases protect field-deployed UAVs, much like worker drone bunkers.
In summary, Murder Drones “was made” starting in 2018, launching publicly in 2021, with ripples across drone hobbies. Whether you’re animating killer quadcopters or flying a DJI Mini 4 Pro for fun, it celebrates aerial innovation. Dive into the series, then hit the skies—safely, sans murder protocols.