DC Comics and Warner Bros. have recently released Justice League in cinemas. While the film has received a mixed response from critics the film itself hasn’t done too bad at the box office, especially overseas. Chinese internet conglomerate Tencent Holdings Limited, has announced that due to the film partnering with its QQ-AR technology, this has seen the release achieve box office sales over RMB 400 Million (approximately $60.3 million USD) in China.
Using the augmented reality (AR) technology of QQ-AR, fans can enter the virtual world of Justice League by simply using the scanning feature on thier mobile devices to capture immersive content. In addition, the QQ doll (seen below), a custom image that was created for the film using QQ-AR technology, has become a popular cartoon figure on Chinese social networks.
Justice League isn’t the only film to utilise QQ-AR’s unique publicity value. Spider Man: Homecoming also supported the technology, with Tencent claiming 11 million users had been gained because of the AR scanning feature.
QQ-AR has been designed as an open platform allowing anyone, including those without any experience in AR development, to create their own AR experience.
During the course of 2017 Tencent has been making ever bigger strides into the field of AR and virtual reality (VR). In July Elite Dangerous creator, Cambridge-based UK developer Frontier Developments announced that it had sold a nine percent stake in the company for £17.7 million GBP. Then a month later Tencent invested in another UK studio, Liverpool-based independent developer Milky Tea, the team behind Coffin Dodgers VR.
As for the Justice League on western shores, Warner Bros. will be bringing Justice League VR: The Complete Experience to customers in December, supporting HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR, Google Daydream and PlayStation VR. You’ll be able to play through missions a one of five characters, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg.
VRFocus will continue its coverage of Justice League, reporting back with any further VR/AR updates.
via Mint VR