Discord Bogo

Our friends at Discord tasked us with creating a 20-second animation to kick off their Nitro summer promotion. The concept was pure magic. We call it BOGO – short for ‘Buy One, Get One’ – but the real enchantment lies in its execution.

Imagine a summer steeped in nostalgia, inseparable friends, Dungeons & Dragons, and the unique magic only Nitro can conjure.
Yes, we know it sounds like a dream. And maybe it is.

Two is a magic number

The entire video pulsates with the rhythm of the number two: two worlds, two realities, and a constant flow of creative energy that leaps from one dimension to the other.
The camera moves frenetically, dancing between real life and a D&D fantasy universe, where a simple day with friends transforms into an epic adventure. Laughter, adventure, and, of course, a touch of Nitro magic.
To enter this parallel world? All it takes is a roll of the dice. And trust us, it’s a game you won’t want to miss.

That frame really does an impact

A seemingly simple request – “Can you make the logo bigger?” – became the catalyst for a visually striking campaign. For Nitro, we knew that bold, impactful visuals were essential.
To make the campaign message absolutely crystal clear, we took inspiration from manga impact frames.

Something epic is about to happen: Nitro’s magic is doubling the fun.
Our animators pushed 2Dfx to its limits, creating keyframes that are nothing short of magical. The result? A perfect blend of message and visuals, working together in a whirlwind of pure energy.

Using a unified color palette, we created two distinct worlds that feel both connected and contrasting.
For the real world, we opted for a nostalgic, twilight aesthetic. Soft gradients and warm tones evoke a sense of familiarity.
In contrast, the fantasy world is shrouded in darkness, with pops of blurple and pink creating a mysterious atmosphere.
The human world is rich in detail, while the fantasy world is more stylized and graphic. This duality allows us to convey two distinct narratives within a cohesive visual style.

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A long, single-shot sequence packed into a brief format.
The fast-paced action is driven by seamless camera movements and dynamic cel animation. Complex camera angles and sequences were used to create a visually striking and immersive experience. The climax, featuring a dragon and a fearless knight, is the culmination of this epic journey.
Check out the early sketches to see how the idea evolved!

No storyboard no production

Perhaps the most crucial and delicate part of the entire project was the initial phase of piecing everything together to determine the timeline, acting, and scene breakdowns. We dedicated significant time during pre-production to meticulously plan the entire video, ensuring a seamless production process.

Credits

Creative direction
Riccardo Albertini, Filippo Martinelli, Federica Amico
Art Direction
Lorenzo Florsissi, Filippo Martinelli
Storyboard
Melissa Ottonello Ferrati
Illustration
Lorenzo Florissi
Cell Animation
Laura Tomelleri, Riccardo Pagano, Federico Bressan, Jose Moreno, Melisa Farina
2D Animation
Andrea Nobis, Filippo Martinelli, Riccardo Albertini
Compositing
Andrea Nobis
Production Company
Nomint
Music and sound FX
Rabbeats

Retro vibes and summer magic in
Discord Bogo
Nitro Summer campaign