SDCC 2015 attendees got a taste of virtual reality with tech companies providing demos at the said event. New Google Cardboard VR apps were launched to showcase SyFy channel's "The Expanse" series and Legendary Pictures' "Warcraft" film.
According to Variety, SyFy gave away 13,000 DIY Cardboard VR headsets last weekend at Comic-Con to promote its space drama "The Expanse" which premieres in December. An accompanying app called "Expanse" can then be downloaded for iOS and Android-powered devices.
The app, which lets users explore one of the spaceships in the show, can also be used in "magic window" mode without a headset.
As the website noted, it's the first time Google's barebones VR headset was used to promote a TV show. Syfy reportedly collaborated with NBC Universal Media Labs, IM360 and Digital Domain to produce the "Expanse" VR experience.
The network's senior VP of digital Mathhew Chiavelli said that Cardboard was "the ideal way to do [it]" because of it can be given away for free and be used with existing smartphones.
The SyFy exec added that they're considering promoting their other shows via Google Cardboard VR apps as well.
Apart from hosting the reveal of Legendary Pictures' "Warcraft" trailer, SDCC 2015 also saw the launch of the Legendary VR app.
Included in the app is "Warcraft: The Skies of Azeroth" which lets players see what it's like to ride a giant Gryphon and take in the sights of the realm of Azeroth.
"With this world building that we're doing in the movie, is there something we can do that can give you a sense of world building in VR?... So we have this Gryphon flight over Stormwind. And anyone that does know Stormwind - I talk about it like it's a real place; for me it is - will be able to recognize things. And those who don't, it's just a cool, fantasy experience," "Warcraft" direct Duncan Jones said, according to The Verge.
Also in the Legendary VR app are "Beware Crimson Peak" and "Jaeger Pilot." It is available via the Google Play Store and the App Store. Legendary reportedly distributed 50,000 Cardboard VR kits over Comic-Con weekend.
Google Cardboard VR apps have been used to promote upcoming films before. Last month, Franchise Herald reported the debut of a YouTube 360 video for "Terminator: Genisys."
