Five things we learned from the Westworld Experience at Comic Con 2017

July 21st 2017, 3:53pm

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

One of the best new shows to hit TV since Game of Thrones, HBO's newest hit Westworld has ignited conversation, theories and a new fanbase that is sure to grow stronger with each new season. At least, if the first season is any indication, that's sure to be the case. Based on Michael Crichton's 1973 "Wild West Jurassic Park" film, the new series has taken those ideas and magnified, warped and evolved them into something complex, engaging and oddly satisfying in a way that makes you ask what you would do if you were in Westworld. Well, HBO has now sought to answer that question with their Westworld Experience at Comic Con. While you aren't just walking into bars and shooting patrons, having sex with everything that moves and basically living a life that you fantasize about, but are too afraid to live because of consequence, you are still teased at the possibility of such a real-life experience and it's a pure delight to see what you're made of in Westworld.

So, what makes the experience so great? Well, I'm glad you asked.

1) THE ROLEPLAYERS ARE PERFECT AND NEVER BREAK CHARACTER

Not only did they find some beautiful looking people to play the "robots" of Westworld, but they obviously put in the work to make sure they could stay in character no matter how much some of the patrons may challenge them to do so. With an air of seductiveness and a straightforward nature, the performers are perfectly robotic and perfectly desireable.

2) THE LOOK AND DESIGN IS RIPPED RIGHT FROM THE SHOW

If you've seen the show, which you absolutely should, then you'll know that you go through a "process" before entering the actual park, which consists of choosing the type of weapon you'd like to use and the clothing you'd like to wear (including actual costumes from the show). There are screens everywhere, highlighting the experience and helping to set that "sanitized" look and feel of the off-park area and the display of weapons and costumes is perfectly in tune with the show's version of it. The roleplayers will even discuss the weapons with you and are most agreeable to anything you may want. "Excellent choice, sir" one said, as I motioned toward the rifle.

3) THERE IS A HALL OF HEADS

I mean, that's exactly what it says. A hall. Of heads. Maybe you'd see something like that in an art gallery or serial killer's basement, but in Westworld it's a very precise thing, as it shows off the various "designs" of faces for the robots at the park. It's a very cool detail and may inspire some home decor ideas for the macabre among you.

4) YOU WILL BE EVALUATED. IT MAY GET WEIRD.

Once you've surveyed the weapons and attire, you're led down a hallway and put in a private room where one of the robots will enter and sit you down to evaluate you. Yes, you will keep your clothes on. The roleplayers are great here and "ask you a series of questions" in order to determine your personality profile, which consists of a lot of "what would you do?" type questions. Your own answers may surprise you and you will most definitely feel at least a little unfomfortable, especially with a sexy "robot" maintaining excessive eye contact and digging into your soul. In the end, they determine if you're a black hat or a white hat and there isn't really a choice in the matter. Scroll below to see how I fared…

5) DRINKS ARE ON THE HOUSE

Finally, you enter the Mariposa Saloon and stand at the bar for some cocktails, hand-crafted by the barkeep and his staff, indluding a fruity flavored shot, a glass of whiskey and a creamy shot finished with shaved ice. You can converse with the roleplayers (including a brothel girl) or among your crew, while listening to the automatic piano playing tunes from the show, toasting to a "world without consequence" before exiting back into the one ripe with them. But, hey, you got a cool hat out of the deal!

Sooooo, Grand Theft Auto Westworld?

This is definitely one of the cooler experiences at Comic Con and you can check it out for yourself by registering in the Lobby of Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel – 1 Park Blvd, San Diego. And if you haven't seen Westworld, get on it. Season 2 is on the way and we'll be at the panel on Saturday to share anything new. See you there, cowboys and girls!