The Brief

In March 2024, Bohemia Interactive, the Czech gaming studio behind DayZ, ARMA, and Operation Flashpoint, approached us with a request for branded merchandise. They needed something for their DayZ fanbase that went beyond standard logo placement. The product had to reflect the game's post-apocalyptic aesthetic while remaining functional for daily use.

The Challenge

Standard approach: Take an imported product from mass producer, laser-engrave the logo, ship it. But for a brand built around immersive survival gameplay, generic branded merchandise just wouldn't do. The challenge was creating something that felt native to the DayZ universe while maintaining practical functionality for gamers.

We asked ourselves: What would our products look like if they existed in a zombie apocalypse?

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Initial idea: Weathered Existing Products

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First iteration involved our existing wireless chargers and laptop stands. We subjected them to controlled Weathering:

• Surface scratching and scraping
• Stylish impact damage
• Scorching and burn marks
• Wood staining for aged appearance

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The client approved the concept, but we proposed developing an entirely new product instead of adapting existing ones.

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Product Development: DayZ Tactical Stand

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Initial idea:

• Multifunctional desk organization
• Magnetic slots for wireless watch and phone chargers
• Magnetic attachments for headphones and other accessories
• Post-apocalyptic aesthetic
• Practical storage solutions

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Manufacturing process:

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1. Material Selection & CNC Machining
   • Spruce wood and perforated sheet metal
   • CNC routing for base shape and component slots
2. Surface treatment
   
   • Torching of edge parts
   • Glaze coating
   • Varnish seal‍
3. Component Integration
   
   • designer coppre plate
   • sheet metal board
   • charger holding magnets integration‍
4. Packaging
   
   
   1. Attachment wrapping
   2. Completion in box, final checks and sealing

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Production challenges:

• As spruce wood is prone to splinters, milling technology had to be adjusted and additional sanding was necessary
• For specific weathered look, a new "weathering tool" had to be invened on spot from metal brush and router.
• In the end, the shelves had to be milled as laser did not manage to cut such thickness.

The Business Value

This project demonstrates our capability to move beyond catalog products into custom brand-aligned manufacturing. Key deliverables:

• Fully custom product design from concept to completion
• Limited first-series production run
• Exclusive pre-order availability through client's e-shop
• Product that functions as both merchandise and collectible

Typical timeline for similar projects:

• Initial concepts: 1 week
• Prototype development: 1-2 weeks
• Testing and refinement: 1 week
• Production run setup: 3 - 6weeks

This is what custom branded products look like when you move beyond catalogs. Whether you need something that reflects your brand identity, supports a product launch, or creates genuine value for your audience, we manufacture it entirely in-house at our Šumperk workshop. From concept to completion, every detail is controllable, customizable, and crafted by hand

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