Courtesy: Google
In an exclusive interaction with SportsTiger, Karan Gaikwad, Lead of the Product Team at KRAFTON India, talks about the BGMI 3.7 update. The update has introduced the all-new 8x8 RONDO map and the unique RONDO Anthem initiative, marking a major step towards deeper community involvement. In this interview, Gaikwad discusses the vision behind RONDO, key gameplay innovations, and how Krafton is empowering players to shape the future of BGMI.
1) What inspired the creation of the RONDO Map, and how does it differ from previous maps in BGMI?
The creation of the RONDO map reflects KRAFTON India’s commitment to continuously evolving the BATTLEGROUNDS MOBILE INDIA (BGMI) experience by introducing fresh and diverse battlegrounds. With RONDO, our goal was to craft a visually immersive and strategically engaging map that seamlessly blends urban landscapes with natural terrains, offering players a dynamic environment for intense combat. Spanning 8x8 km, it features unique locations like Jadena City, where players can navigate high-rise buildings using escalators, and NEOX Factory, an industrial zone with a vehicle test track. The map also offers a mix of dense forests and scenic rocky terrain in, giving players varied environments to test their skills.
What sets RONDO apart is its new strategic elements. The multi-plane System allows players to choose between different drop locations, while the Pickaxe enables terrain destruction for creative gameplay. Bamboo forests can be cleared using throwables and vehicles, changing the battlefield dynamically. New weapons like the JS-9 submachine gun and Stun Gun add fresh combat strategies, while the Ghillie Suit Forest provides better camouflage in RONDO’s lush environment. This update reflects KRAFTON India’s commitment to keeping BGMI engaging, immersive, and ever-evolving.
2) How do the unique terrain and gameplay mechanics of RONDO impact strategic play compared to other maps in BGMI?
RONDO’s expansive battlefield brings together a variety of environments, from bustling urban centers and industrial zones to serene natural landscapes and traditional residential areas. This diverse geography challenges players to navigate through ever-changing terrain, encouraging the m to move beyond familiar strategies and explore innovative tactics that suit each unique setting.
Unlike previous maps, RONDO’s design compels players to constantly adjust their strategies to leverage the environment, making each match uniquely challenging and rewarding.. We believe that these enhancements deepens the tactical complexity of the game and elevate the BGMI experience by encouraging players to experiment with diverse combat approaches and dynamic positioning.
3) The multi-plane system is an interesting feature in RONDO. How does this impact drop dynamics and early-game battles?
By introducing two simultaneous flight paths at the start of a match, the multi-plane system in RONDO splits the lobby and offers broader, more unpredictable access to the map. This feature allows squads to reach a wider range of drop locations, making it easier to stick to preferred loot spots regardless of plane trajectory, while also reducing early-game congestion in traditional hot drops. However, it also increases the likelihood of surprise encounters, as enemies can now approach contested zones from multiple directions. In competitive and Esports scenarios, this system adds a deeper strategic layer—teams must prepare flexible drop plans, communicate effectively, and scout more aggressively, as standard assumptions about enemy locations no longer hold. Overall, the multi-plane setup raises both the tactical complexity and the intensity of RONDO’s early game, rewarding teams that can quickly adapt to dynamic, high-stakes situations.
4) How important is player-driven content to BGMI’s long-term vision, and can we expect more community collaborations such as the RONDO anthem?
BGMI’s recent RONDO Anthem initiative shows just how seriously KRAFTON India is taking player involvement in shaping the game's future. By giving the community, a chance to contribute words and ideas that would eventually become part of the official launch anthem and even feature as lobby music in the 3.7 update, KRAFTON isn’t just listening to its players, it’s building with them. This kind of community-first approach reflects a bigger vision where player-driven content becomes central to how BGMI grows and stays culturally relevant. The campaign, “Aao Kabhi RONDO Mein,” and the anthem co-creation effort are strong signals that more such collaborations are on the way, as KRAFTON looks to make the BGMI experience something fans don’t just play—but actively shape.
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