Alibaba Persuades Shoppers To Try Their Virtual Reality Video Player With VR Dates

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba proved it knows how to market its own products this Internet Valentine’s Day (celebrated in China on May 20) by offering virtual reality dates to shoppers #realitymagic

Yep, Alibaba used the Taobao app (an online marketplace, like Amazon) to encourage users to go dating in VR, using their own virtual reality headset. Once they scanned a given QR code, they would meet the “girlfriend” or “boyfriend” of their dreams. The characters, played by Chinese actors, would interact with customers – from waking them up and making breakfast to joking with them like any real, significant other would do.

The idea is to interact with virtual reality content, making them more susceptible to Alibaba’s own VR video player, developed by GnomeMagic. The VR video player links with the Taobao mobile app and allows customers to buy, save items or view shops in VR.