VML Australia launches digital Christmas game and card in search of Santa’s fastest Reindeer
The Sydney office of global digital agency VML has released their 2012 digital Christmas card, titled ‘Reindeer Races’, which is not so much a card, as a real-world interactive race between four of Santa’s reindeer, streamed live via webcam and played online.
The game allows users to take control of a reindeer on a real-life Christmas-themed track, using their keyboard to control its speed while they race against three of their Facebook friends, or computer-controlled ‘bots’.
True to their record for creating innovative digital installations, VML wanted to set the benchmark for agency cards in 2012, whilst making something addictive for their clients and friends to enjoy over the Christmas period that was a little out of the ordinary.
Says Aden Hepburn, managing director Aden Hepburn: “I’m so proud of the team. I think we’ve been able to push the boundaries a little here. There’s been a few late nights and weekends getting it all together but it’s really paid off. We hope everyone enjoys playing it as much as we enjoyed making it. And the film is brilliant.”
The set design is magical, complete with snow and trees, distance markers along the racetrack and a red-ribbon finish line, set to a Christmas background featuring the 45-strong VML Sydney team as Santa’s elves.
The installation is an Arduino-powered masterpiece, combined with a host of on-track sensors to manage the reindeer, whilst some of the most critical parts were manufactured on VML’s 3D printer to ensure the perfect fit.
To launch such a Christmas spectacle, and accompany the website, the team has also shot an epic, Hollywood-style trailer to bring the idea to life in film.
8 Comments
Sorry but…The game didn’t work. My reindeer were out of action due to feeding…such a bad experience that left me think why did I bother with this
Hey VML – 1990 called, they want their Xmas card back.
Shocking, I thought they were innovators…
Do some real work.
what miserable bitchy pricks you three are
It’s comments like these that make me feel embarassed to work in this industry sometimes. But I am reassured by the knowledge that your poisonous negativity almost certainly means that you’ve achieved nothing of any significance in your own careers. So hey ho. Happy holidays!
It’s comments like these that tell me you work at VML. Better luck next year.
LOL!!!!!
“I think we’ve been able to push the boundaries a little here.”
hahahahaha! ho! jingle bells!
Went to the site and it keeps breaking… some message about ‘we’re overloaded and we’ll be back soon…’ Looks great if it would just load/work… : (