MTV is venturing from “Laguna Beach” to “The Hills”
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - MTV is venturing from “Laguna Beach” to “The Hills” with the launch of a second virtual online community based on one of the lifestyle network’s TV shows.
“Virtual Hills” (http://www.virtualhills.mtv.com) will replicate the Hollywood world that “Hills” cast members inhabit while allowing viewers to re-create their own virtual reality, meet other fans and associate with the cast, which for the first time will be involved in curating the experience online.
The show’s cast members will guide fans in creating their “in-world” story arcs and virtual experiences. For instance, the show’s Lauren Conrad, with the assistance of her friend Whitney, will launch a fashion challenge, while fellow gal pal Audrina will host concert events. The show’s talent will be represented as their own avatars inside the virtual reality.
MTV’s first virtual reality community, “Virtual Laguna Beach”, launched in September, and has 350,000 registered users, according to Matt Bostwick, senior VP franchise development at MTV Networks Music Group.