5Mar/18Off
‘Ready Player One’ is Getting a Massive SXSW Event Powered by HTC Vive
To deliver on the film/book’s virtual vibe, the exterior of Brazos Hall will be transformed into the Stacks, the vertical trailer park where people live. Attendees will receive an RFID wristband, and enter the venue through Wade’s van, the protagonist’s hideout, and also experience a slice of the fantastical online world of the OASIS through both VR and physical installations.
With HTC as the film’s official VR partner, VR demo stations will include a number of experiences such as an Avatar Creator, a WaveVR DJ set by the film’s star Tye Sheridan (who plays Wade Watts), and VR versions of classic arcade games and experiences inspired by the universe of Ready Player One.
Here’s the full list of things to do:
- The RFID wristband will keep score as guests test their knowledge of ‘80s trivia, play arcade games, or look for hidden clues, to move up the Leaderboard to win fun prizes, including one grand prize per day: an HTC VIVEVR System.
- Visitors can browse at Avatar Outfitters, offering the Hot Topic “Ready Player One” Pop-Up Shop. Guests will have a chance to score officially licensed gear, including exclusive t-shirts, caps, jewelry, backpacks, collectible pins and other cool accessories, as well as fan-favorite Funko Pop! vinyl figures and Copper, Jade and Crystal key sets, and much more, all available for purchase.
- Guests can try out the “Ready Player One” Avatar Creator by VIVE to choose their new digital identity, and then send the avatar to their personal email.
- Drop into 2045’s hottest nightclub, The Distracted Globe, where infinity mirrors create the impression of being gravity-free for a cool photo op, and guests can enjoy “Ready Player One”-themed specialty cocktails.
- From the stage: ‘80s trivia happy hours and nightly artist performances, with special guest DJs and performers, including a WaveVR DJ set by Tye Sheridan, who stars in “Ready Player One”; Them Jeans; FM-84; Bird Peterson; and a special performance by a surprise guest.
- On Saturday, March 10, the SXSW Film Festival will hold its 25th Edition party, celebrating the anniversary of the film festival, at the Experience.
- On Sunday, March 11, the venue will hold a livestream, “Ready Player One” LIVE at SXSW, powered by Twitch and IMDb, hosted by Aisha Tyler and correspondent Alex Correa. The stream will be live on Twitch and IMDB and will feature some of the stars and filmmakers from “Ready Player One,” including cast members Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Lena Waithe, Win Morisaki, Philip Zhao and Ben Mendelsohn; screenwriter Zak Penn; and author/screenwriter/co-producer Ernest Cline.