Mexican street artist Juandres Vera has painted a 3D mural of Mohamed Ramadan’s in-game Free Fire character on a billboard in Cairo, Egypt.
As of April 16, players across the Middle East have been able to choose Ramadan’s avatar, known in the game as “Maro”, marking the game’s first playable Arab character.
To celebrate the occasion, Vera created an 18×12-metre mural in 11 days in the Egyptian superstar’s home country, with a digital version now also being displayed on a billboard in Casablanca, Morocco.
The artist, who holds the Guinness World Record for the largest anamorphic pavement art, is known for his special blend of street art via his trademark style of creating immersive aesthetics and realism.
He’s no stranger to the Middle East, having participated in a month-long art festival in 2020 organised by Dubai Canvas and Brand Dubai in City Walk, which featured works from artists across the world with the theme of travelling through art. Vera’s piece featured a sprawling eagle-eye view of Dubai’s skyline, with the Burj Al Arab at its centre.
“It was an honour to be part of this exciting campaign,” said Vera of the new Cairo project. “I’m so lucky to be able to incorporate my 3D mural art style with the most famous and trending video game Garena Free Fire and with the stunning number one Egyptian singer and amazing actor Mohamed Ramadan.”
Ahead of the character’s launch, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa also celebrated by projecting a portrait of Ramadan’s Maro. Two specially created light shows, which included a one-minute announcement, screened on the side of the world’s tallest building in Downtown Dubai on April 14.
Watch the moment the Burj Khalifa lit up here:
Free Fire players across the Mena region can now play as Maro and claim rewards through a series of in-game events every day until Saturday, May 15, in celebration of the holy month.
The collaboration with Ramadan is part of Garena’s commitment to attract players in the Mena region by offering localised experiences.
Garena Free Fire has had a huge rise in popularity among users globally in recent years, and it was the most downloaded mobile game worldwide in 2020 across both iOS App and Google Play for the second year in a row.
The game reached 100 million daily active users at its peak last year.
Take a look through the gallery below to see more of Mohamed Ramadan:
Egyptian superstar Mohamed Ramadan during the launch of his single ‘Ya Habibi’ in Dubai in 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Egyptian singer Mohamed Ramadan performs during the 2019 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in Lagos, on November 24, 2019. AFP
Egyptian artist Mohamed Ramadan attends the third Gouna Film Festival, in El Gouna, Egypt, September 19, 2019. EPA
Egyptian actor and singer Mohamed Ramadan performs during a concert at a resort in the North Coast, Egypt, August 23, 2019. EPA
Egyptian actor and singer Mohamed Ramadan performs during a concert at a resort in the North Coast, Egypt, August 23, 2019. EPA
Egyptian sctor Mohamed Ramadan attends the opening ceremony of the 40th Cairo International Film Festival in Cairo, Egypt, November 20, 2018. EPA
Actor Mohamed Ramadan of ‘Cairo Exit’ poses during the red carpet closing ceremony of the 7th Dubai International Film Festival December 19, 2010. Reuters
Egyptian actor Mohamed Ramadan poses for photographs with his honorary award during a party for the New Year at El Shorta club in Cairo, Egypt, December 28, 2009. EPA
Egyptian director Saeed Hamid, Egyptian actors Omar El Sherif and Mohamed Ramadan pose for photographs during a press conference on the new movie ‘Al Tareek Ela Darfour’ held at the Semiramis hotel in Cairo, Egypt, December 5, 2009. EPA
Egyptian actor Mohamed Ramadan poses for photographers after he received an honor award during the closure of Alexandria 25 Film Festival in Alexandria, Egypt on August 10, 2009. EPA
