Don the cowl and glide through Gotham City in pursuit of a dastardly villain.
San Diego Comic-Con is no stranger to extravagant location-based VR installations. During the 2018 conference, Amazon Studios set up a VR obstacle course in support of their new Jack Ryan series, offering attendees the chance to zip line and repel from a helicopter while in VR. In 2017, USA Networks partnered with VR app WITHIN to conduct a national simulcast of a 10-minute Mr. Robot VR experience, during which the cast joined fans live via Google Cardboard headsets.
So, with 2019’s festivities just around the corner, how exactly does Comic-Con plan on topping VR ziplining? VR skydiving of course!
In honor of the Caped Crusaders 80th anniversary, DC Comics and AT&T have teamed up to create The Batman Experience, an elaborate interactive exhibit/arcade/museum that offers visitors a rare look at various film and television props, legendary DC comic book art, even a mysterious new vehicle developed by ‘Wayne Technology’ that includes autonomous self-driving functionality and 5G; sound familiar?
Also included in these offerings will be The Dark Knight Dive, a bold new immersive experience that combines VR technology and indoor skydiving to deliver the sensation of flying through the crime-ridden streets of Gotham City as the Dark Knight.
“The Dark Knight Dive is the centerpiece attraction of THE BATMAN EXPERIENCE and a one-of-a-kind VR skydiving experience into the Gotham City,” states DC in an official release. “By combining a skydive booth with the magic of VR goggles and a helmet in the shape of a Batman cowl, gamers and Batman fans will enjoy a 4D interactive experience. Visitors will virtually fly through Gotham City in pursuit of the Scarecrow, who in attempting to take over the city, unleashes his Fear gas and creates a harrowing journey for fans through Batman’s 80 years of friends and foes.”
Also included as part of The Batman Experience is The Rogue Gallery Rumble, an interactive mixed reality experience that combines a conventional punching bag with projection mapping technology, allowing users to activate various old-school Batman animations and trigger classic sound effects as featured throughout the legendary 1960’s television series starring Adam West. WHAM! POW! KER-SPLOOSH!
Of course, there will be plenty of non-VR offerings as part of the experience, including a Batcave gaming lounge where attendees can go hands-on with every generation of Batman-themed video games, as well as a 6-foot tall Batman Black & White Statue created by celebrated artist and writer Todd McFarlane.
“We’re honored to have a role in celebrating Batman’s induction into the Comic-Con Museum Character Hall of Fame, and we wanted to celebrate this iconic Super Hero in a way that is unique to what AT&T has the power to do,” said Valerie Vargas, SVP of Advertising and Creative Services, AT&T, in an official release. “THE BATMAN EXPERIENCE will be an epic, fan-centric activation showcasing how creativity and innovative technology can unlock new opportunities for fans, allowing them to engage and interact with Batman in a whole new way.”
San Diego Comic-Con takes place Thursday, July 18th – Sunday, July 21st. The Batman Experience will take place during those same dates at the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa; doors open July 18th at 10 AM PT. Tickets are available here.
Featured Image Credit: DC
