Interactive
Vast Media Smart Screen Round-Up: ‘Westworld’ Maze, World Cup Madness
Story Highlights
Here’s a run-down of recent second screen-related entertainment items, via Berlin-based research and consulting company Vast Media.
• During the World Cup, German broadcaster ZDF offered a unique experience through its app, allowing fans to become the commentator for select scenes from matches. The offering allows app users to select available scenes and record their commentary via their smartphones. The app then allows users to watch and listen to all the fan-made clips.
• To help promote the second season of its hit series “Westworld,” HBO partnered with 360i to create “Westworld: The Maze,” a choose-your-own adventure game that works for Amazon Alexa devices. Featuring a tie-in narrative that calls on users to know what’s been happening on the show, the game puts them in the shoes of one of show’s hosts, and answer questions about people, places and events, in order to find the center of a metaphorical maze. The game features more than 60 storylines and 400 unique choices.
• BBC Sports chose to release a dedicated standalone app to allow fans to watch the World Cup in virtual reality, with every game covered for free via Android, iOS, the PlayStation VR, Oculus and Samsung Gear VR. Viewing choices include a virtual lounge and views from each goal. Live in-game stats are included, along with on-demand content.
• For the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards, MTV hosted a live watch party on Facebook, giving viewers there exclusive, behind-the-scenes content, live polls, and chances to win prizes. The show aired simultaneously with the on-air broadcast and included hosts Ashleigh Murray and Vanessa Morgan, who answered fan questions and made winner predictions.
• Broadcaster SBS Australia asked fans to predict the outcome of World Cup matches via its official web site, posing the “head or heart” question on who would advance in the tournament. Each vote asked fans to vote using their feelings and statistics for the team, and also featured a chart that showed how much money they would win if the team they chose wins it all.
