Starting the IAAPA 2015 Orlando adventure off right, InPark attended a “magic” technology/media preview hosted by Edwards Technologies Inc. (ETI) and nWave Pictures promising to show the future of immersive storytelling. –Report by Judith Rubin
In the presentation by ETI co-leaders Roberta Perry and Brian Edwards, we were impressed by a super-responsive and versatile touchtable (you could “fling” things across it) with content that complemented the compelling high-definition images on the video monitor, the efficiently delivered 3D “iContent” from nWave in the adjoining demo theater, and the little, Videro-powered “black box” (a Mac mini or two) that is practically all the hardware necessary for running it all (you do still need projection gear, of course, but that’s also evolved in amazing ways).
This is the epitome of the disappearing rack room. But it’s not just about sleek, compact equipment, pixels and show control – it’s also about facilitating great, immersive storytelling and media-based guest experiences. ETI’s presentation made it clear we’ve reached the point where the screen essentially disappears too – the content moves effortlessly from platform to platform and the quality is consistent, regardless of exhibition format, projection surface or screen size. Losing the awareness of something being delivered or projected frees us to lose ourselves in the experience instead.
ETI has already done numerous real-world applications of the above, which is scalable up to very large venues and displays. Examples include the unique SEGA BBC Orbi center in Yokohama, Japan (a second Orbi will soon open in Osaka, to be followed by a third in Dubai), Discovery Cube Los Angeles and a variety of other themed entertainment, retail and hospitality venues.
