SXSW: HBO Is Building A Real-Life 'Westworld' Town Near Austin
HBO is building a new Sweetwater park in Austin, Texas to let fans have a first-hand experience of the Westworld in a more improved version.
This year's SXSW festival in Austin follows HBO's presentation at the San Diego Comic-Con. The event titled Live Without Limits Weekend is HBO's marketing strategy to promote Westworld's second season.
Guests can roam around the two-acre set for two hours. Those who check in within Austin will be transported to the event place through the so-called Delos shuttle. At the site, guests will be evaluated and interviewed to determine which hat they are going to receive.
The mechanics of the event is similar to last year's, and guests will receive either a black hat or a white hat.
"Upon arrival, guests will be assigned a black hat or white hat and set loose to explore the park. No guidebook. No orientation," HBO said in a press release on Wednesday.
Exploring Sweetwater
HBO's Austin set of Sweetwater will also showcase Coronado Hotel and the Mariposa Saloon. Dozens of the so-called hosts, the show's version of its robotic characters, will roam around the area.
An Easter egg hunt-inspired game is open to anyone who wants to participate, where various clues will be scattered throughout for potentially new revelations.
To lessen the guests' burden due to traffic, HBO said it has partnered with Lyft to provide Westworld-inspired rides and Delta Air Lines for Westworld-specific flights from Los Angeles to Austin.
Ticket Reservation
Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis and can be reserved via DiscoverWestworld.com. Guests are required to confirm their reservations once they check in at the EastSide Tavern, Downtown Austin.
"The freedom of living without the rules or judgment is coming to Austin, Texas. During SXSW - from March 9-11 - the park will reopen for a limited, elite few. Reserve a ticket now to secure your visit to the original immersive vacation destination," reads HBO's press release.
Those who are unable to buy tickets online can grab a spot during the SXSW event itself or book a Westworld ride with Lyft. A press conference will be held on March 10 at 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Austin Convention Center Room D, where cast members and production crew will answer questions related to the show and event.
The park is open from March 9 to 11 in conjunction with Giant Spoon. Westworld's new season is set to air on April 22 on HBO.
