WildRift 'Mockumentary' Celebrates Poppy’s Debut and Skin Care Launch

Together with Monks, the global, purely digital, data-driven, unitary operating brand of S4Capital plc, WildRift has launched the 'mockumentary', BTS: Y.A.P.S | Skin Trailer - League of Legends: Wild Rift for the highly anticipated debut of Poppy, the beloved champion. This special April Fool’s Day campaign features the introduction of an April Fool's Poppy skin, designed exclusively for the occasion.

Being one of the OG yordles, fans of Poppy have long speculated about the arrival of Poppy, with many wondering if Wild Rift had forgotten about the Yordle champion. In October 2024, Wild Rift creative director Ke playfully teased the community during a Patch Preview, hinting at Poppy’s upcoming debut with a cryptic statement: “...and see what pops in my head.” This light hearted moment confirmed the long-awaited arrival of Poppy, generating a wave of excitement.

As a tribute to the historical launch of Yordle OG Poppy’s character in Wild Rift and the spirit of April Fool’s Day, the campaign takes a playful approach by offering an inside look at the creative process behind Poppy’s new skin. EnterY.A.P.S. (Yordle Advancement and Play Style), a team at Riot Games tasked with ensuring yordles thrive in Wild Rift. Through a mockumentary-style video, fans are taken behind the scenes of Riot Games, where the Y.A.P.S. team works tirelessly to perfect Poppy’s new skin and bring yordles to the forefront of the Wild Rift experience.

The mockumentary, filled with witty commentary and humorous twists, showcases real Riot Games staff members and their dedication to creating the perfect skin for Poppy. Viewers are treated to an authentic yet light hearted perspective on the development process, highlighting the team’s efforts to improve yordles’ mechanics, abilities, and overall playstyle.

Poppy’s new skin, designed specifically for April Fool’s Day, incorporates unique, handmade elements that draw inspiration from other yordles, giving Poppy a quirky but fun look.

“April Fool’s Day is a chance for brands to connect with fans, and we took a different approach. Instead of an over-the-top stunt, we created a fictional team that shares the same passion and dedication as our fans and the Wild Rift community. This isn’t just another post - it’s a tribute to the players who’ve made this game a success year after year.” said Mustapha Zainal, creative director - experience, APAC at Monks.

This campaign is not just about launching the Poppy, the epic Yordle champion, in Wild Rift, and the fun new skin, but also about celebrating the League of Legends: Wild Rift community and their love for yordles and creating an even-deeper connection with the brand and its audiences. The team at Monks, along with Wild Rift team, dove deep into almost a decade of social posts, fan commentaries, Champion lores to depict the mockumentary as accurately as possible and fill it with easter eggs for the fans. The mockumentary is designed to entertain while showcasing the passion and creativity behind the game. Fans are encouraged to share their own content, join in the celebration, and immerse themselves in the fun of Poppy’s arrival in Wild Rift.

“The concept for this skin originates from a meme shared among Wild Rift fans. We aim to give back to the community by creating a mockumentary developer logs that showcase how Wild Rift takes their ideas seriously and integrates them into the skin design. This approach fosters a remote dialogue with our fans, enhancing their engagement in an organic way. The whole process is full of joy, and we are committed to taking everything seriously, just like Poppy.” said Eunice Ying, lead producer at Monks China.

Riot Games and Monks China aim to create a memorable experience that brings fans closer to the action and strengthens the bond between the Wild Rift community and the brand. This April Fool’s Day celebration offers something for both long time fans and newcomers to enjoy.