HEADLESS WORDPRESS
Building a Wonderful Web Experience for an Iconic Client
CXR.Agency harnesses the power of headless WordPress to create scalable, omnichannel web experiences
for Sony's Wonderverse in Chicago.
Site:
Industry:
Entertainment
“Leveraging WP Engine for headless WordPress was pivotal in bringing Sony's Wonderverse to life online. Its seamless integration with Node and React technologies enabled us to create an engaging, immersive digital experience that truly captures the essence of Sony's iconic brand.”
—Lucky Gobindram, General Manager, CXR.Agency
4 ms
First Input Delay (FID)
0.5 s
Time to First Byte (TTFB)
4 months
Project completion time
The Client
Sony Wonderverse is a unique, immersive entertainment destination that offers a blend of gastronomy, interactive games, and attractions. Centered around Sony's iconic intellectual properties, such as "Ghostbusters" and "Jumanji," the Wonderverse provides a one-of-a-kind experience that bridges the gap between digital innovation and physical entertainment.
CXR.Agency is an award-winning full-cycle software development and IT consulting company that excels in creating innovative solutions across a wide range of technologies. The agency’s expertise encompasses full-stack web and mobile development, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain, as well as immersive, omnichannel experiences including Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality. Addressing key business challenges such as the IT expertise gap, cost reduction, and digital transformation, CXR.Agency adopts a results-oriented, flexible, and transparent approach that delivers exceptional results.
The Challenge
Develop a high-end digital presence to mirror the adventurous spirit of Sony's Wonderverse in Chicago. This included managing the intellectual property of iconic titles and ensuring digital platforms were aligned with the physical venue's development.
The Solution
Using WP Engine’s all-in-one headless platform, Headless WordPress,
CXR.Agency utilized a combination of WordPress, Node.js, React, and Next.js, incorporating key features like POS and
Open Table Widget integration. This approach enabled the
creation of a vibrant online portal and user-friendly mobile
apps in sync with the Wonderverse’s physical experiences.
The Results
In 2024, Sony Pictures Entertainment unveiled the Wonderverse in Chicago, a groundbreaking entertainment hub that transports guests into the fantastical universes of their favorite Sony Pictures franchises, including Jumanji, Ghostbusters, Bad Boys, and more.
In tandem with the launch of the Wonderverse’s physical location, CXR.Agency, a WP Engine Agency Partner, was tapped by Sony to take over the Wonderverse’s digital launch, which included a website, mobile apps, and various integrations for point of sale (POS) and reservations systems.
“We needed to replicate the diverse physical experience of Sony’s WonderVerse in a way that resonated with Sony's branded appeal,” said CXR.Agency General Manager Lucky Gobindram.
“And we needed to do it on a tight timeline.”
While the project had been started using Drupal, Gobindram and his team recommended migrating the site to a headless WordPress environment for flexibility across the front-end and back-end, as well as the ability to support multiple channels.
“Given the timeline and our prior experience building with WordPress and building with WP Engine Headless WordPress, we knew this was the fastest way to get through procurement and launch a powerful website,” Gobindram said.
Combining developers’ preferred front-end JavaScript frameworks and libraries like Node.js and React with a flexible WordPress backend, Headless WordPress provided the CXR.Agency team with a complete headless stack and a powerful, all-in-one solution that met the project’s requirements.
This approach proved successful, and the new Wonderverse website was able to launch within the four-month timeframe.
The multi-faceted campaign was also well-received by the end client, capturing the spirit of Sony's renowned franchises and taking site visitors into a world of wonder and excitement from their first interaction.
Both the website and apps merge digital and physical elements, providing intuitive and interactive gateways that encourage users to discover various attractions within Sony’s Wonderverse and make reservations.
With the CXR.Agency team’s expertise in crafting dynamic digital experiences on full display, these platforms provide a cohesive blend of storytelling, user experience, and brand cohesion to create a captivating online journey that appeals to enthusiasts of Sony's cherished franchises.
The project's success is a testament to the CXR.Agency team's expertise in digital innovation, showcasing their ability to bring Sony's IPs to life online in an immersive, interactive manner.
Additionally, the website and its connected mobile apps offer a powerful example of omnichannel content creation at its finest, while highlighting Headless WordPress as the best way to maintain the flexibility of WordPress in a fully headless environment.
“Leveraging WP Engine Headless WordPress was pivotal in bringing Sony's Wonderverse to life online,” Gobindram said. “Its seamless integration with Node and React technologies enabled us to create an engaging, immersive digital experience that truly captures the essence of Sony's iconic brand.”
HEADLESS WORDPRESS
ALL-IN-ONE HEADLESS FOR RADICALLY FASTER SITES
Build, deploy, and manage headless websites with the power of WordPress and the best of modern web development. See why leading publishers, B2B software companies, and growing eCommerce stores are all doing more with WP Engine Headless WordPress.