Six Flags New England’s iconic roller coaster Mind Eraser is celebrating its 20th year of operation with an augmented reality (AR)/mixed reality (MR) revamp courtesy of Six Flags partner Samsung.
Mind Eraser is being transformed into Galactic Attack Virtual Reality Coaster by the addition of Samsung Gear VR headsets as well as getting an upgrade with a brand new restraint system for a more comfortable ride.
Riders of the coaster will don a headset, in this case a Gear VR that uses pass-through technology so riders can see the world around them, as well as the MR virtual content. Riders will be able to see a heads-up display showing various stats such as ‘weapon status’ and a countdown clock which will tick down as the ride mounts the first lift hill. Then, as the ride car swoops down the high-speed drop, the experience changes into an immersive space battle, with the riders in the cockpit of a spaceship.
After zooming through the battle, the ride is brought into one of four bays, which equates to four different endings.
Six Flags have teamed up with Samsung before, previously using the Gear VR technology for The New Revolution VR coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles, California. Similarly, in the UK, Merlin Entertainments-owned parks Alton Towers and Thorpe Park have utilised VR technology for their rides, Derren Brown’s Ghost Train at Thorpe Park, and Galactica at Alton Towers. Galatica is in fact also a re-branded coaster previously known as Air.
Use of MR/AR/VR is increasingly popular in all segments of the entertainment industry, from sports to movies and even toys.
VRFocus will keep you updated on new developments in these areas.