Players will also get a chance to participate in adventure activities that reflect Aotearoa's rich culture
Tourism New Zealand, the tourism promotional organisation of New Zealand, has announced that it has partnered with Hollywood studios Warner Bros Pictures’ and Mojang Studios to create the world’s first destination downloadable content (DLC) for popular video game Minecraft, inviting its users worldwide to ‘play’ New Zealand in game mode to celebrate with release of the upcoming film A Minecraft Movie that was shot at various locations in New Zealand.
In a press statement, Tourism New Zealand says that the launch of the DLC will coincide with the premiere of the film starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black, slated for April.
The statement adds that in India, through the joint venture partnerships and trade collaborations with key distribution partners, Thomas Cook, SOTC Travel and MakeMyTrip, Tourism New Zealand also offers an opportunity for Indian travellers who wish to play for real to leap New Zealand’s great outdoors.
Prospective visitors can explore a variety of real-world activities in the Minecraft Aotearoa New Zealand DLC, such as paddling a waka, canoe in Abel Tasman, visiting glowworm caves in Waitomo, or stargazing in Tekapo and then craft their real-life adventure by booking New Zealand’s official 100 pc Pure Minecraft Itinerary, turning the virtual quest into a real trip to New Zealand.
The statement adds that players will also get a chance to participate in adventure activities that reflect Aotearoa’s rich culture and explore six iconic New Zealand locations star in the game, including Waitomo Caves (Waikato), Rotorua (Bay of Plenty), Kapiti Island (Wellington), Abel Tasman (Nelson/Tasman), Tekapo (Mackenzie) and Doubtful Sound (Fiordland).
It adds that travel content creator, Radhika Sharma will be giving Indian adventure enthusiasts a taste of the real-life thrills the destination has to offer, as seen in the game. Alongside adventure activities and quests, players can also explore Māori culture, customs and treasures throughout the game, experience the sounds of taonga pūoro, local musical instruments, and marvel at native wildlife.
René de Monchy
According to the statement, through this partnership, Tourism New Zealand aims to connect with 70 pc of its primary target audience in major markets who actively engage with Minecraft.
“This is our chance to invite the world to play Aotearoa New Zealand and show just how much fun people can have here. We want to give people an immersive taste of what New Zealand has to offer,” says René de Monchy, Chief Executive, Tourism New Zealand.
Minecraft players around the globe can download and play the Aotearoa New Zealand DLC for free from the Minecraft Marketplace as of March 19.
Torfi Frans Ólafsson
“Shooting A Minecraft Movie in New Zealand was an amazing experience. The talent and boundless creativity of the highly talented local crews embodies the values we at Minecraft hold so dear: positivity, creativity and curiosity,” says Torfi Frans Ólafsson, Senior Creative Director, Original Content & Entertainment at Minecraft & Producer, A Minecraft Movie.
“For those of us not local, whenever we were not holed up on the sound stages at the studio, we used every opportunity we could to explore the magnificent beauty of New Zealand. We did countless day trips around Auckland, and many went on deeper excursions on the South Island. When principal photography wrapped, we were sad to leave with so much yet unexplored, but me, like many others on the production were already planning our holidays to return to New Zealand as proper tourists. There is so much to experience here that you can’t do anywhere else in this world. We are excited to give Minecraft players a glimpse of it in the upcoming Aotearoa New Zealand DLC,” he adds.
"
