Waypoint had the pleasure of collaborating with KRAFTON Europe to unveil the mystique behind PUBG's map, RONDO. Announced in December 2023, the new map was themed after the silk road, and offered a unique opportunity to infuse eastern culture with PUBG’s signature military aesthetic.
Their goal was to generate buzz among high profile streamers and influencers with an interactive puzzle box that needed to be solved to uncover the mystery behind the new video game map. This interactive kit, designed to captivate and challenge influencers, immerses them in the City of Glory through an intricate puzzle quest and mini missions found within the physical items.
Check out the teaser trailer for the map below!
Waypoint's partnership with KRAFTON aimed not just at an influencer kit but an immersive experience, an introduction to the new setting, collectibles, and a challenge designed for only those players worthy of gaming glory.
Concept 1, titled "Light the Spark," became the centerpiece of this interactive journey.
This concept invites influencers to unbox a firework shipment, paying homage to a new gameplay element introduced in the map. We wanted it to feel like a supply crate shipment straight from the world of RONDO, filled with surprises that ultimately lead to the assembly of a light-up RONDO Diorama featuring Alpha and Beta in battle.
Items includes on the kit are:
-Battle Scarred Wooden Crate – custom hand painting and stenciling
-Branded Metal Crowbar
-Chinese Firework Containers – designed and printed by WAYPOINT
-Battle Medallion Enamel Pin Set
-Vintage Metal Ammo Box
-Lore Booklet – designed and printed by WAYPOINT
-Game Download Promo Card
-Alpha/Beta Light-Up Diorama – Hand painted, magnetic assembly featuring LED blue-zone circle
Waypoint's journey begins with a comprehensive brainstorming session, fueled by in-depth market research. This phase serves as the creative incubator, where diverse kit variations are conceived, each tailored to evoke a unique response and, in this case, a unique storyline or interactive element. Collaborating with our talented designers, we refine these concepts, defining the specifications for each product with meticulous attention.
The first mockups process:
In an iterative conversation with our clients, feedback becomes the guiding force. A curated mixture of top ideas emerges, laying the groundwork for the final kit. These concepts are transformed into visually stunning 3D rendered beauty shots, servicing as a vital checkpoint and allowing stakeholders to visualize the complete edition and provide concept approval.
Next is the creation of digital proofs. These detailed representations undergo thorough review, working to provide die-lines, print areas, sizing, and colors. This approach ensures that every aspect aligns seamlessly with the envisioned kit before venturing into the realm of physical production.
The transition from concepts to tangible reality begins with sample fabrication. A prototype takes shape, and adjustments are made to ensure quality. In the case of statues, this initial iteration, referred to as the "white body," scrutinizes the shape and form of the 3D object, ensuring it aligns precisely with the original design.
Physical samples of packaging, blister, and supporting items follow suit. The journey progresses to a pre-production sample, marking the final check before mass production commences. This stage assures color accuracy, final materials, and comprehensive assessments of size, electronic components, blister, and more.
The heartbeat of our process resonates through the mass production stage. For both large and small-run kits such as this, we oversee the entire production process from samples to shipping. Quality assurance of various processes and techniques is essential as we work alongside our artists, modelers, painters, production managers and beyond who contribute their craft and expertise to the final product.
The assembly phase unfolds as the kits take shape at our facilities. Each component was inspected and packed, ready for fulfillment. For this kit, care was given to setting lock combinations and placement of the objects in various compartments to ensure that each influencer shared the same unique experience during unboxing. We also included a “cheat sheet” envelope in case they were unable to solve one of the puzzles, which contained more specific instructions and extra keys to access the items. The hand-crafted nature of this kit extended all the way through assembly, where the WAYPOINT team was present making sure everything would work.
The Kit had an interactive component during unboxing that challenged influencers to dive deeper into the contents of the crate. Here is a bit about the narrative behind the box:
Influencers are selected candidates from the battleground's organization, tasked with working alongside elite agents in RONDO—Alpha, an arms dealer, and Beta, a hacker. The influencer must uncover the inner secrets of the battle crate with clues left to them by Alpha, disguised as an ordinary supply drop of fireworks, to reclaim their glory.
Part 1: A Real Wooden Military Crate The exterior is marked for shipment with carton information, flammable markings, and custom paint details. The serial number provides the combination to the outer lock, requiring the mini-metal crowbar engraved with the map tagline.
Part 2: Upon opening the first lock the user finds a shipping manifest and Field Manuel, instructing them with which boxes to start the opening sequence and giving them clues to solve the puzzles inside and unlock the locks. In addition to the munition's boxes and printed materials, the box also holds a locked vintage ammo box and mini safe.
Part 3: After opening the Chinese firework and munitions boxes, influencers discover small pieces of the diorama pieces and hints/clues for the next set of challenges.
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Part 4: Ammo Box & Decoder Puzzle Inside the ammo box. They must crack the decoder puzzle using clear pieces found throughout the kit, revealing the number combination and unlocking the diorama's base. This opens the ammo box which contains the final pieces of the diorama.
Part 5: Alpha + Beta Diorama - At the heart of this Kit lies the diorama, which assembles with a magnetic peg system and features LED lighting to enhance the scene as well as highlight the PUBG blue-zone game mechanic, the circle that closes in during the battle royale. The diorama reinforces the narrative showcasing Alpha and Beta face off during a moment of battle in the RONDO battlegrounds tournament.
Conclusion
In summary, the PUBG - RONDO influencer kit stands as a venture into interactive storytelling with our physical game collectibles. From conceptualization to production, the puzzle quest embedded within our concept not only introduced influencers to the City of Glory but engaged them in an immersive narrative.
Waypoint's commitment to crafting visually stunning experiences extends beyond the digital realm, leaving an indelible mark on the gaming world through new mediums. As influencers across the globe embark on this puzzle quest, PUBG - RONDO emerges not just as a marketing beat, but as a journey to the battlegrounds in search of Glory.
