German Premiere of “Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue”

(eap) At the OBEX event and exhibition venue in Oberhausen, Germany, visitors can now immerse themselves in the world of the well-known video game Minecraft across more than 2,600 square metres. Following stops in Dallas, Toronto and London, as well as recent openings in Herning (Denmark), Mexico City, Singapore and Chicago, “Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue” is now being presented in Germany for the first time. The interactive adventure brings the digital world of the best-selling video game of all time into reality and turns visitors themselves into the heroes of an exciting mission.

© Photo: Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue | Credit: Morris Mac Matzen

During a session lasting around one hour, visitors are faced with various challenges that can be mastered individually or as part of a team. As in the game itself, they have to mine, collect, build and defend themselves in order to save the villagers from their ominous fate. Accompanied by the two characters “Tobin” and “Dayo”, visitors learn how to use the “Orb of Interaction”, a glowing interactive handheld device that guides them from room to room. Once they arrive in the “village”, they receive their mission and set off on a “rescue operation” together with other participants. During the interactive scavenger hunt, they travel through various Minecraft biomes, collect resources and encounter well-known Minecraft creatures such as “Creepers”.

No prior knowledge of Minecraft is said to be required: both fans and newcomers are intended to be able to enjoy an equally accessible adventure. As a reward, all participants receive a code for a digital cape at the end of the mission, which can be redeemed online in the Minecraft game. Visitors can also purchase merchandise items at the “Minecraft Experience Trading Post” at the end of their visit.

Visitors use the glowing “Orb of Interaction” as an interactive handheld device that guides them through the different rooms of “Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue” and supports them during their mission. © Photo: Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue | Credit: Morris Mac Matzen

The experience was developed by international experience producer Experience MOD in collaboration with Mojang Studios, the Swedish video game developer behind Minecraft. For the exhibition in Germany, Experience MOD is working together with FKP Scorpio Entertainment (FKPE), the exhibition and special projects division of international event organiser FKP Scorpio Konzertproduktionen, which also operates OBEX. FKPE’s previous experience exhibition projects include “Jurassic World: The Exhibition”, “Disney100: The Exhibition” and “Tutankhamun: The Immersive Experience”.

“Minecraft is one of the largest and most popular brands in the world, and it is fantastic to be able to present it in this groundbreaking form in Oberhausen. The term ‘immersive’ is used frequently these days – here, it applies 100 per cent. In Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue, fans embark on a Minecraft adventure together with their family or friends, not digitally, but in the real world, with iconic locations and mobs from the game coming to life right before their eyes. These are exactly the kinds of innovative and interactive experiences we want to offer at OBEX, and we look forward to welcoming the Minecraft community from across Germany and beyond to Oberhausen,” says Folkert Koopmans, CEO of FKP Scorpio Entertainment. ■