Forever on the lookout for ways to avoid criticism that its packaging creates unnecessary litter, McDonald's has remade its Happy Meal boxes in Sweden so they can be re-folded into Google Cardboard VR sets.
News of the promotion comes to us from AdWeek, which said the company plans to run off 3,500 "Happy Goggles."
There will also be a "360°" skiing game for the Happy Goggles, called "Slope Stars," which is pitched with "fun and safety" messaging.
"When combined with a smartphone, the Happy Goggles lower the threshold so that everybody can afford to experience VR," Maccas Sweden's press release says.
[Of course, everybody could already afford Google Goggles: you just have to download the design, cut out the cardboard, and add the 3D red-and-blue-lenses – El Reg.]
Sensitised to how its every move is scrutinised, criticised and generally denounced, McDonald's Sweden lined up a couple of child psychologists to mention that families getting together to play games is A Good Thing.
And it will, after all, keep the cardboard out of the waste-stream for a little longer than just using it to serve a meal. Any burger residue that ends up on your face will be a badge of ecological honour.
Back in its home territory, Mountain View has just announced direct sales of Google Cardboard from its online store.
AdWeek notes that Pizza Hut has had a shot at turning its cartons into a movie projector, and Mattel is reviving its View-Master. Vulture South reckons commentards can at least equal if not beat such pedestrian promotions ... ®
