Commentary

How active immersion technology revolutionizes entertainment

Active immersion has deployed in unique mediums such as water parks and flume rides, illustrating the versatility of the technology to immerse the guest.

Image provided by iStock.

November 29, 2021 by Kevin Williams

The development of virtual reality entertainment is an ongoing process, only slightly impeded by the 15-month lockdown. No matter the situation, the investment in new development continues unabated.

With the development of new streaming VR technology, the ability to offer a high-quality VR experience without the need to weigh down the guests with cumbersome hardware will impact the narrative being presented by these technologies. Soon we will create even more compelling experiences that can include even more sophisticated immersive hardware (motion platforms, harnesses and capsules), that will not be hindered by the practicalities of the hardware used.

Last week, we explored VR design concepts that allowed players to experience flying. In part two of this two-part series, we will explore other motion simulation applications.

Motorsports steps forward

Concerning motorsports, we have seen several high-spec motion platform-based F1 simulator racing-rigs — while the racing experiences may not be as active as compared to the free-roaming and active simulators, they are still creating a new generation of athlete players who will go on to shape the market.

In July we saw the opening of the new attraction Ride With VR from developers Studio Go Go. Taking the dynamic motion experience of a Twister fairground attraction and using the company's Go-Go XR simulation technology, they created the experience VR Twister. Players wear a standalone VR headset from Pico, with the virtual experience mapped to the motion of the ride, creating a thrilling experience on this highly-energetic platform.

Studio Go Go is working in partnership to test its first system at the iconic U.K. seaside tourist destination, the Brighton Palace Pier. Studio Go Go sees the over-200 Twister attractions across the country able to be upgraded to include the VR experience, and the company is also looking at other flat ride attractions which could get the VR treatment.

We have touched the sky and raced across the surface of the earth, and it is only fitting that the depths of the sea are also explored. Active immersion has not been just land-based, and we have seen the launch of several water-based VR platforms that offer active entertainment.

Underwater immersion

America's largest indoor waterpark, Kalahari Resorts in the Poconos, was the first in the territory to install the latest virtual reality waterslide. Developed by Ballast Technologies, and like that released at several European waterparks, the company installed its latest waterproof VR headset technology, offering several immersive ride experiences, with the virtual environment synced to the movement of the rider through the physical waterslide, creating an immersive experience with three different options to select from (safari-wild animals, medieval-dragons and space aliens), with the attraction operator able to simply select the rider's preferred adventure per headset.

Ballast has installed the water-based VR experience at 40 different locations in 15 countries under its VRSlide brand. The concept of a highly-active waterslide mixed with immersion is a good example of the adrenaline rush and unique experience this technology provides.

The United Arab Emirates saw the opening of its first ever underwater VR experience at YasWaterworld. This is the latest in the addition of an active immersive element to an already-established experience. In this case, not only is the venue adding a new immersive attraction to the mix but also is generating a secondary revenue stream through offering the unique VR experience — again, employing the DIVR technology from Ballast. In this configuration, the one-of-a-kind attraction has the guest immersed in a new underwater VR experience, weightlessly soaring over the virtual seabed and outer space.

Developers in this field that are applying this approach include specialists wiegand.waterrides GmbH — which presented its latest product line with its VR snorkeling. The company has partnered with Ballast to develop a platform it can field through its extensive indoor and outdoor waterpark business, as well as through its cruise line ship entertainment business.

The latest derivation of the platform with the VR snorkeling system is the nearest equivalent to the free-roaming VR experience, although with the weightless medium of the pool, the application can use sophisticated versions of the DIVR standalone VR headset platform and its simple content selection element. It is still a highly-active immersive experience for the audience, and also an important new revenue stream for venues to include into their offerings.

Others venturing into these waters include MackNeXT, partnering with VRCoaster, to develop what it has labelled as the world's first diving theater. Launched at the operation Europa-Park, the Snorri Snorkeling system has been employed in the underwater VR experiences Mission Rulantica and Traumatica. The experience uses special waterproof VR headsets, and a special water enclosure that uses water jets and other elements to immerse the guests as they are transported through the virtual adventures.

The "Dive Theater" approach allows the experience to be themed within its own space, offering a standalone attraction for deployment in venues.

We end with active immersion being deployed in unique mediums such as water parks and flume rides, illustrating the versatility of the technology to immerse the guest. However, this is not the end of the story but merely the beginning of a new chapter.

The only question will be: How many of these new active experiences will be standalone attractions, or how many will be incorporated into the mix of attractions on offer at a dedicated location? Adding secondary spend to an existing attraction venue brings in a certain revenue, but creating a completely new venue, able to be placed wherever the audience has gathered, could be an aspect of the "super staycation" market that will be endured over the coming months.

(Editor's note: Extracts from this blog are from recent coverage in The Stinger Report, published by KWP and its director, Kevin Williams, the leading interactive out-of-home entertainment news service covering the immersive frontier and beyond.)

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About Kevin Williams

Along with advisory positions with other entrants into the market he is founder and publisher of the Stinger Report, “a-must-read” e-zine for those working or investing in the amusement, attractions and entertainment industry. He is a prolific writer and provides regular news columns for main trade publications. He also travels the globe as a keynote speaker, moderator and panelist at numerous industry conferences and events. Author of “The Out-of-Home Immersive Entertainment Frontier: Expanding Interactive Boundaries in Leisure Facilities,” the only book on this aspect of the market, with the second edition scheduled for a 2023 release.

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