Westworld viral marketing catches us up on our dystopian future

We’re just a couple of weeks away from the premiere of Westworld season 3, and true to form, the show is hitting us with all kinds of viral marketing shenanigans. For example, HBO has set up a website for Incite, a technology company working in the same space as Delos Destinations, which already has a website. (“Delos Destinations regrets the temporary closure of our parks,” the website currently reads. “We are undergoing unscheduled maintenance to improve several safety and structural systems, to maximize the experience of our guests.” Sure, that’s why; it has nothing to do with the friendly robots running amuck and killing guests.)

Anyway, some outlets like SlashFilm have been getting emails from Delos filling us in on the backstory of the show’s world. Remember: season 3 will take place in the “real” world, since Dolores (Evan Rachel Wood) has escaped the confines of the titular park with several of her robot buddies in tow, and is intent on toppling the humans from their positions of power. Helping her out is a disconnected construction worker named Caleb (Aaron Paul), while characters like Bernard (Jeffrey Wright), Maeve (Thandie Newton) and host-Charlotte Hale (Tessa Thompson) also return.

Anyway, here’s the Delos communiqué:

"Dear Valued Guest,As you may have heard, U.S. Congress has just passed the Privacy Act of 2039, which will be effective starting today. You will begin to see the impact of this legislation roll out over the coming weeks.Delos Destinations has been providing themed fun for over a decade, and the security of our guests both in the park and online in the real world is tantamount to our success. As far as we’re concerned, your core experience will stay the same: an opportunity to discover who you are, in an environment without limits.All corporations with a digital footprint are required to be compliant with this new initiative, affecting the way your private information is collected, stored, shared, and processed. As part of this new overhaul, legislators have partnered with Incite to provide a clearer path to radical data transparency, putting control back in the hands of consumers.For more specifics on how this new law will affect you, please check out InciteInc.com.And as a gesture of our commitment to a safer, more open and free world, enjoy an extra night stay at Westworld or our newest attraction, The Raj–on us.This is only the beginning. Welcome to life without limits."

In season 2, we learned that Delos was using the data it collected about its guests to work toward the goal of transferring human consciousness into the body of a host, essentially gaining immortal life. The disclaimer that used to greet visitors on the Delos website read like this:

"By entering the Delos Destinations Port of Entry, you acknowledge that Delos, Inc. controls the rights to and remains the sole owner of, in perpetuity: all skin cells, bodily fluids, secretions, excretions, hair samples, saliva, sweat, blood, and any other bodily functions not listed here. Delos, Inc. reserves the right to use this property in any way, shape, or form in which the entity sees fit."

Anyway, glad to see congress has cracked down on that, but we’re sure Delos and Incite will find other ways to get up to no good.

And that’s not the only way HBO is getting the word out. You watched the official trailer above, but what about this romantic comedy version:

And that’s not the end of the hidden trailers:

Yes, that was an image of Dolores with her arm chopped off. Season 3 is gonna be wild. And thanks to HBO’s schedule, we know that the premiere will run for an hour and eight minutes. Settle in.

Westworld season 3 premieres on March 15, only on HBO.

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