Disney has teamed up with Google to launch a new virtual reality experience on Google Cardboard, ahead of the premiere of ‘Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens ‘in Cinemas next month.
On December 2nd, Disney will release a serialised VR experience designed for Google Cardboard; the experience “ties directly” into the opening of The Force Awakens, and will be available through the official Star Wars app for iOS and Android.
The app has been created by LMxLab, Industrial Light & Magic’s division dedicated to augmented and virtual reality experiences.
View this behind the scenes video of LMXLab below:
The collaboration forms part of Google’s “Awaken the Force Within” cross-promotion in which users can choose the light side or dark side of the Force and brand their apps accordingly.
US based mobile operator telco Verizon is also part of the VR initiative offering our Google Cardboard viewer designs featuring Star Wars imagery available through carrier stores from December 2nd.
Rise of VR marketing
With Facebook’s Oculus Rift set for a consumer launch in 2016, big name film directors are already working on new virtual reality content, according to news reports.
Directors including Stephen Spielberg, Jerry Zucker and Ridley Scott are reportedly involved in creating VR content.
Late last year, Interstellar ’director Christopher Nolan let fans in four US cities – New York City, Houston, Los Angeles and Chantilly, VA – watch sequences from the film through Oculus Rift virtual reality headsets.
Watch this promo for the Google / Star Wars collaboration below:
