AUSTIN, Texas — Revenge is on Arya Stark's young mind in Game of Thrones' forthcoming fourth season as she seeks justice for the bloody event known as the Red Wedding, but at South by Southwest she's merely trying to control her emotions at the GoT virtual-reality experience.

After putting on the Oculus Rift gaming headset, Arya (played by 16-year-old Maisie Williams) was transported into a 4D "Ascend the Wall" environment in which an elevator shaft brought her to the top of the fictional land of Westeros' 700-foot ice wall. Not fond of heights, she panicked and screamed, as evidenced in the Instagram video below.



The Wall protects the Seven Kingdoms in the show, though on this day it did little to keep Arya or any of the Oculus Rift's other users alive. I explain the experience, which included "4D" elements like wind and vibrations, in the video below while sitting on the Iron Throne inside the GoT exhibit inside Austin Music Hall.



HBO's installation incorporated CGI elements from visual FX company Framestore, sending users into the GoT world for a few minutes, all while Kristian Nairn, who plays Hodor on the show, provided music as DJ to the rest of the exhibit's attendees.

Mashable caught up with Williams, Nairn and Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth) to discuss the experience and the upcoming season, which premieres April 6.



Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Game of Thrones Exhibit at SXSW

1. The Iron Throne

   Mashable's associate entertainment editor Brian Hernandez takes a seat on the Iron Throne.

2. A dragon's head used for filming Game of Thrones.

3. Game of Thrones costumes worn by the House of Stark on display.

4. Crowns worn by Margaery Tyrell and Joffrey Baratheon on display.

5. Articles worn by Stark nobles.

6. Storyboards show the evolution of the planning of each scene before they are shot.

7. Grey Wind's Severed Head on display.

8. Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) experiences "the wall" through Oculus Rift.

9. A replica of "the wall" is displayed near the area where guests can experience an interactive version of the wall through Oculus Rift.

10. Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) and Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth) experience "the wall" through Oculus Rift.

11. Cast members Maisie Williams, Gwendoline Christie, and Kristian Nairn pose of the Iron Throne.

12. The severed hand of Jaime Lannister on display.

13. Kristian Nairn (Hodor) DJs a set during the Game of Thrones Exhibit pre-party.

14. Costumes worn by Daenerys Targaryen.

Mashable's associate entertainment editor Brian Hernandez takes a seat on the Iron Throne.
A dragon's head used for filming Game of Thrones.
Game of Thrones costumes worn by the House of Stark on display.
Crowns worn by Margaery Tyrell and Joffrey Baratheon on display.
Articles worn by Stark nobles.
Storyboards show the evolution of the planning of each scene before they are shot.
Grey Wind's Severed Head on display.
Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) experiences "the wall" through Oculus Rift.
A replica of "the wall" is displayed near the area where guests can experience an interactive version of the wall through Oculus Rift.
Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) and Gwendoline Christie (Brienne of Tarth) experience "the wall" through Oculus Rift.
Cast members Maisie Williams, Gwendoline Christie, and Kristian Nairn pose of the Iron Throne.
The severed hand of Jaime Lannister on display.
Kristian Nairn (Hodor) DJs a set during the Game of Thrones Exhibit pre-party.
Costumes worn by Daenerys Targaryen.