DS
DESIGN SCOUTCODM CREATIVES · SG / MY / PH
CLASSIFIED // INTERNAL
BRIEF · 2026-W31
Week of July 27, 2026

↻ NEW SINCE LAST WEEK

SIGNAL Competitors are heavily leveraging IP collaborations and dynamic, 3D-rendered key art, while UI trends lean towards tactile depth and responsive animation, creating opportunities for CODM to blend its tactical realism with the epic spectacle of Godzilla x Kong through maximalist, high-impact visuals.
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COMPETITOR DROP CALENDAR

Plan counter-programming around these. Tip: add the generated scout.ics to your calendar to get these as events.

Free Fire MLBB PUBG Mobile CODM (us)
JULY 1 Mobile LegendsTitan Collector Skin Series (Helcurt 'Kaiju of the Deep') launch. ✓ VERIFIED
JULY 3 Mobile LegendsMLBB × Street Fighter 6 Collaboration begins; Joy's 'Badlands Scrapper' Special Skin available for free. ✓ VERIFIED
JULY 8 Free FireFractured Descent Group Skydive - Faded Wheel launch. ✓ VERIFIED
JULY 17 Free FireBlue Lock Ring event featuring Rin, Nagi & Isagi skins. ✓ VERIFIED
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STEAL THIS WEEK

Game Key Art

Maximalist, Chaotic Layouts for Impact

A 'more-is-more' philosophy with heavy layering, overlapping backgrounds, bold contrasts, and vibrant color clashes creates controlled chaos and playful unpredictability in key art and banners.

STEAL THISApply the 'Maximalist, Chaotic Layouts' trend to key art and promotional banners. Layer multiple elements: a dramatic shot of Godzilla/Kong, tactical CODM character silhouettes, intense combat visuals, and stylized environmental elements from 'Eternal Prison.' Use bold, high-contrast yellow and black, with minimal white for accents.
↻ CARRIED Dribbble
Game Key Art

3D and Immersive Design for Visualization

Increasingly used for branding and advertising, 3D renders offer a premium look and better storytelling, enhancing visualization and interactivity.

STEAL THISIntegrate more dynamic 3D renders for characters and creatures in promotional materials. For the Godzilla x Kong collaboration, lean into high-detail 3D models that emphasize the raw power and texture of the monsters.
↻ CARRIED Dribbble
UI/HUD

Neumorphism & Textured UI

Design is adding depth, texture, and personality back with Neumorphism's soft, extruded UI style and other textured elements, making interfaces feel more tangible and unique.

STEAL THISConsider a temporary UI overlay that mimics a scientific or military observation screen for the Kaiju, with stylized readouts rendered in CODM's yellow and black palette with sharp, angled UI elements that have a slightly 'etched' texture.
↻ CARRIED Awwwards
Motion Design

AI Workflows & Automation in Animation

AI is becoming integral to animation and VFX workflows, aiding in idea generation, blocking, and asset duplication, with platforms like Runway changing previs and ideation.

STEAL THISCreate a short, impactful motion graphic loop for lobby backgrounds or loading screens that features a hexagon pattern in CODM's yellow and black, with stylized, angular 'energy pulses' emanating from the center, subtly hinting at the destructive power of the Godzilla x Kong event.
↻ CARRIED Behance
Motion Design

Hybrid Approaches (2D/3D)

Stylized visuals and the blend of 2D and 3D elements are creating visual variety and unique gameplay opportunities.

STEAL THISFor the Godzilla x Kong collaboration, use motion design to convey destructive force with heavy, screen-shaking impacts, dynamic camera movements emphasizing scale, and particle effects representing debris and energy.
↻ CARRIED Behance
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COMPETITOR WATCH

FREE FIRE

Garena SEA
Visuals lean into vibrant, stylized, character-driven themes with bright color palettes, often incorporating exaggerated features for broad appeal. ↻ CARRIED @freefire
Continuing a variety of cosmetic focuses including anime collaborations (Blue Lock), returning popular themes, and themed Faded Wheels and Emote Royales. ✓ VERIFIED Free Fire In-Game Events

MOBILE LEGENDS

Moonton
Heavily pushing diverse collaborations (Street Fighter 6) and thematic events with stylized skins blending futuristic and iconic character designs. ✓ VERIFIED Mobile Legends Official
Introducing premium-tier 'Titan Collector' skin series and incentivizing players with free special skins and rewards. ✓ VERIFIED Mobile Legends Official

PUBG MOBILE

Tencent
Consistently leveraging collaborations with real-world brands, cultural icons, and internet trends, often with detailed, realistic cosmetic designs. ↻ CARRIED @pubgmobile
Featuring 'Angel Devil Crate,' return of the 'Mummy Crate,' and 'Special Lucky Spin' events, alongside past 'dark, edgy style' collaborations. ✓ VERIFIED PUBG Mobile News
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OUR GAPS & OPENINGS

OPENING

Unique Kaiju Integration

While competitors integrate IPs, CODM can uniquely blend Godzilla x Kong's raw power with its core tactical realism, avoiding pure fantasy by framing the Kaiju within CODM's gritty military context.

GAP

Tactile & Sensory UI

As UI trends move beyond flat design towards tangible and textured interfaces, CODM can explore subtle visual cues that imply depth and impact, enhancing the feel of its tactical HUD.

GAP

Dynamic Motion Ecosystems

With motion design shifting towards 'motion ecosystems,' CODM has an opportunity to create a cohesive set of animated assets for its events and UI, rather than standalone pieces.

OPENING

Maximalist Key Art

Competitors are using 3D renders, but CODM can differentiate by applying maximalist, layered compositions with its signature bold typography and color palette to its key art for a more chaotic, impactful visual.

⚠ This section reports observable content patterns + opportunities only. Hard engagement %/reach figures are deliberately omitted — they aren't reliably fetchable from public sources. Pull real numbers from your own analytics before any brief decision.

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BANNER CONCEPTS — START HERE

The trends in dynamic 3D key art, maximalist layouts, and tactile UI, coupled with competitor IP collaborations, provide a clear mandate for CODM to blend its tactical realism with the epic spectacle of Godzilla x Kong.

01

Kaiju: Tactical Overlays

  • Combine gritty military realism with the immense scale of Godzilla x Kong.
  • Design key art and UI with a tactical overlay (HUD elements, threat readouts) framing the Kaiju.
  • Use CODM's signature yellow/black, hard angles, and geometric shapes to contrast with the monsters' organic forms.
  • Why: This approach maintains CODM's brand identity while leveraging the collaboration for epic visual spectacle.
02

Eternal Prison: Maximalist Mayhem

  • Apply maximalist, layered compositions to 'Eternal Prison' season assets.
  • Feature bold typography, high contrast (black/yellow), and angular design elements in chaotic layouts.
  • Incorporate 3D renders of characters and environments for enhanced immersion.
  • Why: This trend-driven approach creates visually arresting and engaging promotional materials that highlight the season's gritty, intense atmosphere.