WCG Champions Mahi Matua: Taonga Whakawhiwhinga

Press Kit

Unique Properties

This trophy design was developed for the winners of the newly returned World Cyber Games. Reserved only for the top players, the 60 cm tall trophy is presented during the closing ceremony of the event, reminding players of what they accomplished to reach that stage.

Dimensions & Packaging

Width 180mm x Depth 180mm x Height 600mm
*The grand champion trophy weighs over 5kg with the wooden case, 600mm high and 180mm in diameter at its widest point.
Trophy 2.5kg, including Case 5kg

Tags

World Cyber Games, eSports, Game Olympics, Grand Champions

Production Technology

3D Printing, ABS synthetic resins, a black chrome seal, a golden seal, a case(cypress/birch branded logo and then stained)
3D Printing was used to create a clear base, outer cover, and emblem in a three piece set that was assembled together. Though simple is design, the chrome casing gives is weight and substance

Design Challenge

Our most difficult tasks were engraving and the case. Engraving took many attempts, and after that we had to manufacture a case that would be able to hold the 60 cm tall trophy standing up. We manufactured a case that would separate the top and bottom to allow for insertion of the trophy, but due to the weight of the birch wood, the lid was too heavy and caused case to fall over. To rectify this, we installed an iron plate into the bottom of the case to keep it upright while standing on its own.

Research

As WCG stands as the game Olympics, an event open to all of the world’s athletes, we based our research off the actual Olympic Games. The host country of each Olympic Games does develop their own design, however, like the FIFA World Cup trophy, the brand identity is carried throughout each iteration of the trophy. So we planned a trophy that carried the special characteristics of WCG while not breaking too far away from conventional trophy designs.

Inspiration

The trophy’s streamlined shape follows an hourglass motif. The hourglass represents the permanence of time itself, by illustrating the flow of time through past, present and future. From the beginning of WCG to the present, to the certain future tournaments of years to come, this is the prize of the game Olympics. Riding the curves of the trophy, one can find the WCG emblem enveloped between its wings, signifying the athlete’s passion and thirst for victory, a constant source of power.

Project Duration

The WCG 2019 Xi’an Trophy Project took 3 months to complete, from April to July. After meeting with client staff, we proceeded ahead with design direction and material studies, developing the design in around two months, and then proceeded with its manufacturing. Although there were differences between modeling and the printed material, we did our best to reduce the gap between our design and the actual material. We then successfully sent the trophy to China to be presented at WCG.

Operation Flow

The Grand Finals held a group stage for the top 8 teams, taking place over the first two days of the tournament, with the finals tournament played out over the remaining two days. The points earned by each country was taken from all the titles present, and the country with the most points was chosen. During the closing ceremony, all athletes from that winning country were brought onto the stage to hold the trophy high to celebrate their home country’s achievement at performing the best at WCG.