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Media-based Attractions
for media-based attractions. In addition, the key role of digital design throughout the entire process creates synergies and opportunities. For example, the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) conception and the early design of characters for IPs can significantly reduce production costs. By integrating the building structure and content into realistic simulations and final media in advance, it becomes possible to create cost-effective and immersive experiences.
3. Design and style: Visitor expectations for media-based attractions are growing, driven by the high-quality experiences they can now enjoy at home or in movie theatres. To meet these expectations, media- based attractions need to maintain the same level of quality in terms of design, visual aesthetics, and overall experience.
4. Interactivity: One of the significant trends in media-based attractions is the integration of interactivity, which allows guests to actively participate and have agency in shaping the storyline. This engagement empowers visitors, transforming passive spectators into active participants and giving them the opportunity to become the heroes of the story.
5. Intellectual Property (IP) utilisation: While not exclusive to media-based attractions, the use of IP remains a prevalent trend. Leveraging established IPs, including popular film franchises, beloved characters, and IPs from the gaming industry, can significantly enhance the appeal and recognition of media-based attractions, attracting a wider
audience.In recent years, there has been a notable emergence of IPs from the gaming industry in media-based attractions. These IPs, which already have a strong following and immersive storytelling, naturally find their place in media-based content. By incorporating gaming IPs into attractions, it becomes possible to create unique and captivating experiences that resonate with gamers and fans of the franchises.
6. Regional park interest: Media-based attractions are garnering interest not only in large theme parks but also in regional parks. This growing interest is a result of advancements in real-time media quality. These advancements have revolutionised attraction production by reducing costs that previously restricted such attractions to major parks. As a result, regional parks can now afford to incorporate media-based attractions, offering a wider range of experiences to their visitors.
PW: What future trends do you anticipate? Alterface: We predict the following future trends:
1. Increased interactivity and individual inputs: The future is likely to see even more advanced and personalised interactions within media-based attractions. Guests may have the ability to actively influence the story through individual inputs, allowing for a more tailored and immersive experience.
2. Blending of media content with decor: The integration of media content with physical decor is expected to become more seamless and immersive. Rather than having distinct separations between media and physical elements, future attractions may blend everything together, creating a cohesive and all-encompassing experience that fully engages visitors and makes them feel like an integral part of the story.
3. Immersive experiences merging with the surroundings: One anticipated trend is the increasing interconnectivity of all systems. As more systems communicate over networks and enable real-time data management, there is a significant opportunity and challenge to leverage this connectivity to fully merge the visitor experience with both the physical and digital worlds. This integration extends beyond the
JULY 2023 Popcorn Revenge, Walibi, Belgium
park gates, offering a seamless and immersive experience that extends throughout the entire visitor journey.
PW: Are there any challenges unique to the media-based attractions format? Alterface: There’s the need to ensure their long-term relevance and effectiveness in the face of rapid technological advancements. This challenge can be overcome by emphasising the strength of the story and the quality of the content. By crafting a compelling narrative, delivering engaging content, and creating a memorable experience, media-based attractions can effectively address challenges related to evolving visitor expectations and technological longevity. By focusing on creating a strong and immersive narrative, media-based attractions can captivate audiences and maintain their appeal as technology and visitor expectations continue to evolve.
PW: Have the needs of operators and guests changed when it comes to media-based attractions? Alterface: Over the past 15 years, there has been a significant shift in the understanding of operators and park owners regarding how media works and the specific needs of software-driven attractions. Thanks to remote monitoring capabilities, we are now able to closely follow the project from our office and ensure that everything is running smoothly. In the event that assistance is needed, we can provide direct support to the operator, offering timely assistance, troubleshooting, and problem-solving.
Our goal is to make the maintenance and operation of media-based attractions easier and more efficient for operators, allowing them to focus solely on providing guests with an exceptional experience.
PW: Can you give us some examples of your projects which are relevant to what we’ve talked about here? Alterface: Here are a range of examples: • Spider-Man Ride, Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando (opportunity to create content that would be impossible to achieve physically)
• Sesame Street: Street Mission, Portaventura World, Spain (benefits from the use of media for IPs)
• Popcorn Revenge, Walibi Belgium (Interactivity, large panel d’animation, non-linear narratives
• Justice League, SixFlags Parks, US (ability to bring IPs to life and to allow guests to become the heroes of the story) • Basilisk, Legendia, Poland (regional park)
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