A ‘Jack Ryan’ Obstacle Course & More Interactive Experiences at Comic-Con 2018
For TV fanatics heading to San Diego Comic-Con 2018 this July, there are plenty of exciting ways to actually get involved.
Not sure what’s out there? Well, we have you covered. Scroll down for a look at the growing list of fun activations and immersive experiences in store. Plus, find out how to sign up!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Vampire Hunt
Are you a Buffy fan? Do you want to score some free swag? Then go to Shop.Fox.com to sign up and become a Vampire Hunt Slayer. The event taking place Saturday, July 21, is an activation presented by 20th Century Fox Consumer Products, which invites attendees to participate in its first Buffy Vampire Hunt throughout San Diego.
Maps and clues will be provided to participants who sign up online ahead of time, and during the hunt, fans will be rewarded with fun prizes including Buffy Funko figures, pins, t-shirts, stickers, posters, comics, and much more.
Others who are participating in the activation include Simon & Schuster, who are behind Kiersten White’s Slayer book series based in the world of Buffy, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers who are behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New School Nightmare, and Quirk Books who present Buffy the Vampire Slayer: A Picture Book.
Also: HarperCollins will release How to Slay the Buffy Way in October, Insight Editions created the infographic guide Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Slayer Stats: The Complete Infographic Guide to All Things Buffy, and Dark Horse continued to create Buffy comics and graphics.
For those not lucky enough to be there in person, they can follow along via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger Activation
If you’re ready for an interactive experience like no other, then Freeform’s Cloak & Dagger activation may be your cup of tea. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. PT on Thursday, July 19, fans can head to Petco Park’s “The Experience” for two different activations over the course of the convention.
In the first activation, you will recreate the moment when Tyrone (Aubrey Joseph) and Tandy’s (Olivia Holt) powers interact by being harnessed into bungees that propel you backwards.
During this physical activation, slow-mo cameras will capture the action and will add an overlay effect that appears as if the light and dark energy are being emitted from the participants. As a keepsake, fans will be given shareable videos of their experience from the event.
For the second activation, fans can stop by the ROXXON Corp station where they get to create their own badge and lanyard. Each badge will include a special code that connects to a variety of prizes from Sony PlayStation Vue and Freeform. After making their lanyards and badges, fans will get to pose for a photo in front of the ROXXON Corp sign.
Mr. Mercedes Immersive Experience
Taking place throughout the convention’s 4-day run, this interactive experience for Audience Network’s Stephen King-inspired series Mr. Mercedes has fans participating in a slew of activities at 643 G St between 10-6:00 p.m. everyday.
You can also participate in an augmented reality adventure game, in which you download the app to take part in this AR-driven investigation to help Detective Bill Hodges (Brendan Gleeson) crack the case. If you do, rewards will be at the ready.
There will also be a virtual reality escape room game in which fans will be immersed in Brady’s (Harry Treadaway) lair. Fans can also visit a recreation of Mr. Mercedes‘ physical world with Finders Keepers, Mercy General Hospital and Brady’s lair, using real props. See Brady come to life through projection mapping as he “sleeps” in his hospital bed.
And last but not least, you can also have your photo taken and transformed into Brady’s face for a special socially shareable GIF. Register early for the event here!
Star Trek: Discovery‘s Mirror Universe Gallery Takeover & Pedicabs
Trekkie’s rejoice! In addition to the amazing cast panel taking place in Hall H, there will be two separate activations for the show — a gallery takeover and special pedicab rides.
In the first activation, fans are welcome to visit the Michael J. Wolf Fine Arts Gallery (363 Fifth Avenue, San Diego), for the second annual gallery takeover. Creating a fully immersive experience, the gallery will feature props and costumes for the series. Running from Thursday, July 19 to Sunday, July 22, it also offers fans a special photo opportunity with Emperor Georgiou’s throne.
This location will also serve as the official Star Trek shop with special Comic-Con exclusives. Everday the location will be open at 11 a.m. PT, and close and 9 p.m. PT. Sunday, the location will close early at 5 p.m. PT.
In the second activation, fans can live their best life by taking pedicabs inspired by the U.S.S. Discovery‘s captain’s chair. Trailers will play on monitors built into the pedicab’s armrests, allowing passengers a look at the highly-anticipated second season. Rides will be given through the Gaslamp District of San Diego from July 19 to July 22. On the back of the pedicab, an illuminated U.S.S. Discovery shield will be displayed.
CBS’s Comedy Cars Bring The Neighborhood (Happy)Together
During the convention, CBS is giving fans a look at their newest comedies, The Neighborhood and Happy Together, with their complimentary car rides through the Gaslamp District in special branded electric cars. Trailers will be screened in the cars while passengers enjoy a free ride. This activation will include giveaways including emoji squeezies featuring the new comedies.
Magnum P.I.‘s Car and Swag Make an Appearance in a Takeover
On Thursday, July 19, CBS’s reboot of Magnum P.I. will take to the streets for a special ride around the convention in a branded Ferrari 488. Brand ambassadors will hand out free red sunglasses and Hawaiian leis to fans.
DC Universe’s Experience & Activations
In an effort to prepare for their digital platform release, DC is bringing multiple activations to this year’s festivities and all will be located at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp (401 K Street). The prime location across the street from the action at the convention center will offer several immersive experiences.
Fans of Titans can explore Dick Grayson’s loft as they uncover clues about his location, while Dr. Niles Caulder’s creations can be experienced in the Doom Patrol lab. Meanwhile, convention goers can do their best to avoid deadly viruses in the swamps of The Swamp Thing. Become part of the team with Young Justice‘s Watchtower, and live like Harley Quinn in the chaos room.
Descend into the sewers with Batman in The Court of Owls to see the first public unveiling of artwork and memorabilia, discover clues, and get an exclusive first-look at the DC Universe digital platform.
The activation will run Thursday, July 19 through Sunday, July 22, and will be open at 9:30 am each morning and close at 7:00 pm (line closes at 6:00 pm) Thursday-Saturday, 5:00 pm (line closes 4:00 pm) on Sunday. Fans can register at DCUniverseExperience.com.
SYFY’s Fan Parties, Mystery Boxes & More
The network known for fan favorite shows like Wynonna Earp and The Magicians is taking over the Children’s Museum fo fan parties for two nights on Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21, beginning at 9:00 pm. That location will also serve as a spot where fans can pick up mystery boxes with custom “genre-themed” designs filled with limited edition merchandise (there will be limited quantities), and this will happen Thursday-Saturday mornings at 10:00 am.
Fans can also look forward to multiple different interactive games such as a Human Claw Machine also located at the Children’s Museum, which will take participants, and lower them into a pit of prizes for an “all-you-can-grab extravaganza.” There will also be genre-themed bingo trolley in the Gaslamp District, as well as a SYFY karaoke bus for those with a song in their hearts.
Lastly, SYFY’s Pop-Up Fan Awards With Orlando Jones, will occur throughout the Gaslamp, and will honor the best in cosplay, art, and other categories. This will conclude with a drumline and the network’s own “Fan Creator Award” medals.
Legion, American Horror Story and More Come to FXhibition
Your favorite FX shows are coming to Comic-Con with FXhibition, an interactive experience through art and technology. Taking place once again on the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel lawn, FXhibition incorporates Near Field Communication (NFC) technology with its augmented reality experience.
Fan favorite shows like Legion, American Horror Story, and Archer, as well as upcoming Sons of Anarchy spin-off Mayans M.C. will be among the installations. Fans can register at FXSDCC.com prior to the convention.
They’ll use NFC to record their time throughout the experience and all will be available in a virtual online gallery.The FXhibition will be open from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Thursday, July 19, and open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday, July 20-21, and finally on Sunday the experience will be open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Fans of Legion are in for a treat as the L.A.-based pop-up, “The Legion Chamber,” will open for Comic-Con at the Marco Brambilla Studio. There, fans will be immersed in the “digital realm” of David Haller.
There will also be the “American Horror Story Eccentricities Gallery,” which allows fans to view art and oddities directly from the AHS universe. Augmented Reality aids participants in locating clues about the series’ eight season.
Other opportunities include a “Mayans M.C. Deconstructed Bike Zone,” which gives fans an introduction to the upcoming series as well as art by El Mac, David Flores, and Oscar Magallanes. “Archer Sound Boxes” take photos of fans suspended within sound boxes covered in character art.
Meanwhile, “Sunny the 13th Sunscreen and Water Stations” will celebrate It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s upcoming Season 13 by providing a photo-op, sunscreen, water, and other camp-themed elements. At FX 3D Me, fans can be photographed in a 360-degree scanner and be transported in to digital art, as well as have the opportunity to take home a 3D figurine model of themselves.
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Experience for Amazon
Combining a real obstacle course with virtual reality (VR), Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Experience works to immerse convention-goers to Amazon’s newest series debuting August 31. Located at the corner of 1st Street and Martin Luther King Promenade, the experience takes place on a 60,000 square foot space.
In that space they’ll be transported to the Middle East for The Jack Ryan Training Field, Dark Ops, and The Bazaar. This activation, which serves to introduce participants to the upcoming series, will put them in the shoes of Jack Ryan himself as they take on challenges and more.
At The Jack Ryan Training Field, SDCC visitors will become heroes for a day in the hyperreality experience. They’ll be equipped with a VR headset for the activation, in which a real-life obstacle course blends with VR. They’ll rappel from a helicopter, cross a plank in the air, infiltrate the enemy, find intelligence, zip-line from a building and retreat to a safe house while being chased. The action will be streamed live on Twitch, where viewers can interact from wherever they watch.
During Dark Ops, visitors are cast as analysts from the pilot episode, and will be given their first field assignment. They’ll be faced with an extremist conspiracy, plots of double-crossing, and classified intel. The experience will “run as a live drama,” as it features actors, voice technology, and immersive set pieces.
Once participants manage to get through the The Jack Ryan Training Field and Dark Ops, they’ll receive shareable videos with highlights from their personal experience, as well as photos. They can access them after the event at www.jackryanexperience.com-sdcc.
The Bazaar offers visitors a chance for some great photo ops at the Middle Eastern themed area where they can collect promo items for the series, and compete in “mini missions.” They can also enjoy free snacks and refreshments.
Set to take place during the entirety of SDCC, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Experience will run Thursday, July 19 through Sunday, July 22, and will be open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Thursday through Saturday, and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sunday.
Fox Fanfare Featuring The Gifted, Family Guy, & More
Cosmos Ship of the Imagination Experience
Located at The Hilton Bayfront Lawn, open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday as well as 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Sunday. Fans can step into the Ship of Imagination as host Neil deGrasse Tyson and showrunner Ann Druyan give fans a sneak peek into Cosmos: Possible Worlds through an immersive dome video experience.
The Passage Project NOAH Viral Cell Lab
Located at The Hilton Bayfront Lawn, open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday as well as 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Sunday. Visitors will come in close proximity with a Project NOAH “viral” patient from their top-secret medical lab. The experience will introduce fans to the upcoming series, The Passage based on Justin Cronin’s novel of the same title.
The Gifted Unlock Your Mutant Vision
Located at around the Gaslamp Quarter including Green Line Trolley Stops and the Omni Hotel. This experience is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday as well as 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Sunday. The Gifted is taking over some of Comic-Con’s biggest transportation modes with custom art. Street teams will assist in helping fans unlock their mutant vision by passing out special blue/red gel viewer cards.
Bob’s Burgers x Shake Shack Exclusive Fan Event
Located at the Shake Shack, Mission Valley and open Friday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. Accessible only by the official Bob’s Burgers x Shake Shack buses, fans can be picked up and dropped off hourly from Park Blvd. and Imperial Avenue, directly over the footbridge from the San Diego Convention Center near Petco Park.
This experience will shuttle fans to the nearby Shake Shack to be served the “Burger of the Day,” and fries. Fans will also take a commemorative photo to share on social media. Visitors who come in at the right time might even run into some of the show’s voice talent at this event.
The Simpsons Couch Gag Photo Opp
Located at The Hilton Bayfront Lawn, open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday as well as 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Sunday. Visit the digital version of the show’s iconic living room for a “family-themed” photo opportunity. This experience works to celebrate the longest-running scripted TV series.
Family Guy Peter Vs. The Giant Chicken Photo Opp
Located at The Hilton Bayfront Lawn, open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday as well as 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Sunday. During this experience fans will get the chance to pick Team Peter or Team Chicken for for a cool photo opp where they’ll be placed in the battle between these two characters. Fans will also get the chance to create their own customized digital Family Guy character using www.FamilyGuyYourself.com.
*Note: The Orville Pedi-pods Fleet are also part of Fox Fanfare.
Stay tuned for more experiences as they’re announced!