AFTER ORGANISING successful “Game of Thrones” exhibitions at Bangkok Comic Con over the last two years, HBO Asia is upgrading the treat this year by bringing a series-related virtual reality experience to Thailand for the very first time.
The unprecedented 4D, Oculus Rift-powered “Game of Thrones: Ascend the Wall” virtual reality experience, the highlight of the third Bangkok Comic Con, allows fans to ride the winch elevator at Castle Black to the top of the 700-foot ice wall. Along the way, 4D elements help bring this deeply immersive, 90-second experience to life, among them wind fans that create the sensation of wind blowing through your hair and rumble-decks that allow you to feel the rickety elevator moving as you’re hoisted to the top of the Wall.
The experience combines the latest in interactive technology and computer graphics generated by Framestore, winner of the 2014 Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for its work on the film “Gravity”. Visitors can also enjoy being King of the Seven Kingdoms by sitting on the series’ famed Iron Throne.
And that’s not all that’s in store for geeks at this year’s comic con. Billing itself as the “biggest pop culture festival in Southeast Asia”, the convention offers entertainment and fun activities drawn from Hollywood movies and series, as well as Japanese animations.
Favourite characters such as Iron Man, Captain America, the Suicide Squad from DC Comics, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and those from globally renowned series like “The Walking Dead”, “X-Men”, “Ice Age” will be on hand to play with and interact with fans.
Budding comic artists and collectors will have the chance to get up close and personal with talent seekers from Marvel Comics, among them CB Cebulski, plus successful Thai artists who have already achieved success in Hollywood such as Kochakorn “Pop Mhan” Manochayakorn, who works with DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Actress Caity Lotz from “Arrow” and “Legends of Tomorrow” TV series will make a special appearance at the festival on April 29.
This year will also feature Thailand’s biggest Western cosplay contest led by international cosplayers Nicole Marie Jean from San Diego who has two million followers on social media and has attended comic con festivals around the world, and Luffy and Olivie from V-Project, Hong Kong.
“Bangkok Comic Con 2015 was very well-received and attended by many people,” says Ong-ard Prapakamol of True Visions Group.
“We received great support from the private and public sectors, as well as from our exhibitors, and comic con, series and anime fans from around the country. Thanks to last year’s success, this year’s edition is bigger than ever. It’s a comic con festival that will go down in Thailand’s comic history. We bring together producers and other relevant parties from the film and animation industry from Hollywood, Asia and Thailand. Fans of actors and superheroes will have a chance to meet, exchange knowledge and ideas. The aim is to make Thailand the centre of the |international film industry.”
Bangkok Comic Con 2016 is at Bitec Bang Na Halls 101-120 from April 29 to May 1.
It’s open from 11am to 9pm.
Tickets cost Bt200.
Find out more at www.BangkokComiCcon.com and Facebook/BangkokComicCon
This source first appeared on The Nation Life.