Feb 10, 2017 Joe Kleiman Headlines, News, North America, Technology & Media, Theme Parks, World markets 0
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation and Samsung Electronics America, Inc., the “Official Technology Partner” of the world’s largest regional theme park company, have announced their renewed collaboration on virtual reality roller coasters with the unveiling of a new twist on the experience at Six Flags parks.
Last spring, the two companies joined forces to introduce North America’s first Virtual Reality (VR) Roller Coasters using Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus, and now in 2017— for the first time ever, riders will be offered a one-of-a-kind mixed reality experience, along with another world’s first—complex gameplay on a VR coaster, where riders make key decisions during the course of the ride that can affect their scoring at the end. The New Revolution Galactic Attack makes its world debut at Six Flags Magic Mountain, near Los Angeles, and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, near San Francisco, offering park guests a thrilling, fully immersive ride of their lives as they battle to save the planet from an impending alien drone invasion.
“Six Flags is proud to be partnering with Samsung to develop the newest, most innovative thrill ride experience in the theme park industry,” said Brett Petit, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “This mixed reality technology is truly groundbreaking and like nothing our guests have ever experienced. Six Flags and Samsung changed the game last year with VR on twelve roller coasters and now we are breaking new ground yet again.”
“Our strategic partnership with Six Flags enables millions of consumers to experience virtual reality for the first time by bringing Gear VR to real roller coasters at theme parks across the country. We are always aiming to create immersive, never been done before experiences with our Samsung VR ecosystem as the focal point, so these new experiences at Six Flags are completely complementary to that key objective. We are thrilled to continue to work with Six Flags and bring VR to the mainstream,” said Marc Mathieu, Samsung Electronics America’s Chief Marketing Officer.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
When riders board the coasters and don their Samsung Gear VR headsets, they will be introduced to the device’s passthrough camera functionality, instantly making riders aware of their surroundings, by allowing them to see the “real world,” including the person seated next to them— along with virtual content. As they get settled into the ride, a heads up display overlay on the passthrough camera view will show data like current status of weaponry, time codes, fuel cells, and a countdown clock. Cresting the lift hill, a massive, swirling wormhole comes into view. As riders drop at high speeds, the mixed reality view changes to a completely immersive, virtual reality environment and a fighter spaceship cockpit materializes and envelops the riders into a tunnel of light. At the bottom of the first hill, riders are launched into the middle of a space battle, coming under attack from flying drones firing lasers and missiles. After swinging through tight channels, narrowly dodging drones and artillery fire, riders are brought into one of three drone bays, each of which offer a completely different gaming experience and three different endings.
To commemorate the opening weekend of The New Revolution Galactic Attack on February 18-20, both parks are “attacking” hunger by hosting a food drive. Every paid guest or season pass holder who brings a full bag of non-perishable food items to support local regional food banks will be given an exclusive opportunity to enjoy the VR ride experience before it opens to the public the following weekend, February 25-26 at Six Flags Magic Mountain and February 20 at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
Guests at Six Flags Magic Mountain will experience Galactic Attack on The New Revolution, the world’s first looping coaster built in 1976 and North America’s first VR coaster in 2016. At Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, The New Revolution Galactic Attack VR will be experienced on Kong, the park’s floorless looping coaster. VR is free with park admission.
Apr 25, 2018 0
Apr 25, 2018 0
Apr 25, 2018 0
Apr 24, 2018 0
Apr 04, 2018 0
An eight-year team member of Alcorn McBride, Barrows...Apr 04, 2018 0
Projected opening for the new aquarium is 2019. The annual...Mar 03, 2018 0
Taylor Jeffs speaks to InPark about The Goddard Group's...Mar 02, 2018 0
"I brought a creative spirit that connected people, and an...Feb 14, 2018 0
In April 2018, the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and...Feb 13, 2018 0
Team culture is basic to the company culture of PGAV...Feb 13, 2018 0
"What the fantasy does to its surroundings and what it does...Feb 13, 2018 0
Joe Fox has been a familiar face behind the scenes at TEA...Feb 13, 2018 0
The DreamWorks zone lets guests choose between four highly...Feb 13, 2018 0
We asked each of the conference chairs to share a taste of...Dec 04, 2017 0
JRA Director of Communications Clara Rice speaks about the...Nov 06, 2017 0
"I – quite frankly – want to make a difference and give...Nov 06, 2017 0
Today, designing and building dark rides has become one of...Oct 24, 2017 0
As a family-friendly IP, Peanuts offers just about...Sep 05, 2017 0
InPark speaks with PIXOMONDO's David Garber on specialty...Aug 27, 2017 0
The close relationship between vendor and client has helped...Aug 27, 2017 0
"We partnered with leading studios to create a unique...Aug 09, 2017 0
InPark speaks with Karen Staley, IAAPA Senior Vice...Jul 31, 2017 0
We put on our themed entertainment goggles and plunged into...Jun 28, 2017 0
PHOTO: June Ko, Paul Noland, and Wuthichai Luangamornlert...Jun 12, 2017 0
Ultimately, for a park to be successful, it must analyze...May 30, 2017 0
"There will always be parks that want to aim for records,...May 30, 2017 0
Last year, Six Flags began redefining the coaster...May 30, 2017 0
InPark Editor Martin Palicki sat down with Luc at the 2017...Apr 17, 2017 0
“Working in the industry can be dysfunctional at times,...