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accuracy of the shooter location, as well as a much higher response time. After all, it’s very important that guests get an immediate feedback on their shooting actions, and not one second later.”
Jacco continues: “Legacy shooting systems usually work with light or vision which makes it hard to use on video screens or use it outdoors. This is where our system has no problem; our system knows where the shooter is and which direction it is aimed at. Our software can calculate instantly what object in the ride will be hit once you pull the trigger, no matter if it is scenery, a video screen, a waterfall, or a mirror.
“Knowing the exact location from where the interactive device was triggered allows us to create the best possible and realistic experience. This shows in 3D projection games where we can display a realistic trajectory of the projectiles that guests are shooting with. With our 4th generation technology, guests can even free roam through the attraction, and we can change the interactive elements accordingly. For instance, we can open a door only when all team members are grouped together. Or we can create sound effects when a guest passes by. All controlled by the interactive system itself, a secondary system is not needed.”
Tailored to you
I am keen to understand whether the new system represents part of a turnkey service, or if it is to be offered ‘standalone’ with the Lagotronics team working alongside other partners to create the finished attraction? Both options, says Mark, are possible: “If a customer has high expectations of the interactives, and wants us to be in the lead to make sure a certain game effect is reached, then we will do just that. In cooperation with the customer, we find suitable partners for all other elements, like design, decoration, transportation system, etc, making sure the interactive system works like the customer wants and the rest fits like a glove around it. “But if a customer for example wants to revise or upgrade an existing attraction to make it more innovative and more fun, we can also provide a standalone interactive system. We have our so-called attraction building bricks (Interactive System, Audio, Video, Show Lighting, SFX, Media Development, Animatronics and Show Control) to offer technology packages tailored to each customer request. The customer can decide and choose the elements that are needed and for all other parts we can work with suppliers the customer prefers.”
Another project which has been completed by Lagotronics Projects during the Covid-19 pandemic is a good example to zoom in on, because in addition to the use of multiple attraction building bricks, many features of the new 4th generation technology have also been implemented. For Halloween 2020 Lagotronics Projects installed a completely customised interactive walkthrough attraction in Movie Park Germany. The attraction is called Secrets of St. Elmo. Secrets of St. Elmo is about Adeen Anderson, the ghost of a young girl, and an abandoned ghost town called St. Elmo. Guests go on a mission through six different scenes where they need to shoot at ghosts projections that randomly appear on the walls, find all targets and look for clues to reveal the great mystery of St. Elmo. “To create a truly immersive experience we used almost all of our attraction building bricks,” explains Mark.
There are two types of targets: projections and hidden targets. The projections take the shape of ghosts. Then there
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are the hidden targets, these are scenery-based targets. These targets have the purpose of uncovering clues and secrets about the story of the town. If one of these targets is hit something happens in the scenery, like candles that light up, shutters that open and branches that move away so the hints become visible. “The combination of both projections and scenery-based targets (hidden targets) is unique,” says Mark, adding, “Now visitors really must discover by themselves which media or scenery are targets. This makes the experience much more challenging, offers more variation in gameplay and generates repeat attraction visits/business. This in contrast to many other attractions where it is very clear where targets are located.” Also, the technique “Pepper’s Ghost” is incorporated into the walkthrough, which means live actors can be seen as see-through ghosts while live interacting with the visitors.
“Our new technology is widely applicable”, says Mark. “We see it being integrated in all kinds of attractions and locations like indoor and outdoor attractions, media based dark rides, water attractions, walkthroughs, but also in interactive experiences for FECs, museums and zoos because the technology is also suitable for non-shooting experiences; we are also planning to use the new 4th generation system in some of our future GameChanger attractions.”
Designed to offer an unparalleled experience for guests, you could be forgiven for thinking the new technology was conceived for operators with blockbuster style budgets to match. Not so, says Mark: “With all our systems we have always tried to provide the best technology, but at a very competitive price. With the 4th generation, despite being more technically advanced, we have kept the system affordable for many clients, by combining certain elements in a clever way and we have made the system as modular as possible.
Coming up next....
Looking to the future, Jacco says: “The technology itself is highly versatile, and it can cover most of the things we, and our clients, can come up with. In our opinion, it will not be the technology that makes the changes, but how the technology is used. Attractions can become more dynamic, immersive, and even more personal than was possible before. This allows for a unique user experience each time and could increase repeat visits.”
“We challenge the design companies around the world, to come up with new ways the system can be used, and new attractions, based on this system,” says Mark with a smile.
“Family entertainment centers are always looking for new innovative solutions,” he adds. With this system, walkthrough attractions can be brought to a new level. A combination of an interactive dark ride, an escape room, and a treasure hunt can easily be achieved. Also, effects can be personalised, based on individual behaviour. “Because of the personalisation of our devices, adults and small children can experience an attraction together, but still on a different level, making it interesting and challenging for both groups. The same goes for rides with vehicles or boats for example in bigger theme parks. It’s interesting either way!” Indeed it is, and I for one can’t wait to see it out in the field!
Interactive experiences for FEC’s and shopping malls
With this system,
walkthrough attractions can be brought to a new level. A combination of an interactive dark ride, an escape room, and a treasure hunt can easily be achieved. Also, effects can be personalised based on individual visitor behaviour.
Interactive Media Dark Ride
Interactive Pepper’s Ghost
SUMMER PART 4 2021
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