With virtual, augmented and mixed reality experiences at the forefront
of new and emerging trends within the attractions sector, Alterface shares
how it’s working with the technology on its interactive mixed-reality dark rides
As creative director, Laurence Beckers drives Alterface’s Creative Division, developing turnkey attractions for its customers
Physical attractions at theme parks or other venues need to offer their guests something they cannot experience at home.
There’s been a lot of hype surrounding head mounted displays (HMD), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). However, there are still many hurdles prohibitiong flawless implementation and usage, especially related to motion and safety. Mixed Reality (MR) offers a more realistic option, combining physical spaces and elements with digital overlays. The technology behind it is less complicated and operationally more feasible. After all, technology should facilitate and enhance the experience of the visitors.
Mixed reality (MR), sometimes referred to as ‘hybrid reality’, is the merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments and visualisations where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time. This mix of reality and virtual reality encompasses both augmented reality and augmented virtuality via immersive technology.
Mixed reality is an environment in which real world and virtual world objects are presented together within a single display or setting. In theme parks, this is often manifested through dark ride attractions within an indoor physical space. Most often, these are using high definition screens, video and 3D projection mapping, optical illusions and animatronic figures, as well as variable lighting to enhance the immersion of guests into the story.
Upon developing a mixed reality attraction, the following requirements should be taken into consideration:
• Choice of story or theme (IP or proprietary)
• Type of experience, nature of the ride
• Capacity of the attraction
• Available space
• Target audience
• Type of attraction within park offering
• Budget and timeframe
Based on the outcome, a first concept and proposal can be developed. Besides safety, robustness and a high throughput, attractions should be offering a fun experience. This can be obtained by immersing people into the story, allowing them to get better at something and offering them both an internal and a social experience. This is where interactive technology kicks in.
Digital layers and interactivity will maximise the physical environment and augment the theme. Guests will feel empowered and get fully immersed into the story, which should certainly not be overcomplicated. Not only can guests improve personal scoring, but also enjoy the experience with family or friends.
Alterface has been developing interactive mixed-media attractions for many years, creating new technology advancements each year. The most recent one is NOMAD (New Optimized Mobile Action Device) – a compact and portable device enabling interaction with media screens, scenery and animatronics. NOMAD brings a new level of game simplification and interaction, based on Alterface’s patented technology.
All attractions developed by the Alterface team are based on a very modular approach, with solutions to fit every need and budget, making each attraction unique. The newest non-linear solutions are very flexible and scalable, fitting smaller footprints in buildings or even spreading across the park to maximise use of space.
Compared to a game or a movie, a mixed reality dark ride is all about movement and flow rather than singular actions. Shooting or interacting on-screen is less important than the way the transitions from one scene to another are done. An effectively-themed, media-based dark ride with a good balance is the best guarantee for a successful ride with long lifespan. Therefore, park owners should always first get proper advice and consider all options, thus making sure the concept is right before starting to build the actual ride.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Rides: Themed dreams
We take a look at some of the major
openings at visitor attractions worldwide
Theme Parks: Fan power
Jordan Middleton explains how operators
can best work with their audiences
Tourism: The Tourist Trap
What role could attractions play to keep
tourism beneficial for residents and
visitors alike? Kath Hudson reports
Conference: Creativity Cocktail
This year’s SATE conference came to the global epicentre for themed entertainment – Orlando – as the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) searched for the secrets to “The Experience Recipe”.
Promotional feature: Whitewater
WhiteWater is branching out of the waterpark business as it
introduces two new attractions products and its brand new
Vantage guest engagement and management software
Show report: Enabling fun
Tom Anstey was on-hand to see what was
on offer at this year’s Euro Attractions Show
Promotional feature: Simtec - forward thinking
Simtec is a flying theatre and simulator ride supplier
for the attractions industry, as well as a manufacturer
of driving and flight simulation applications
Case Study BASILISK INTERACTIVE DARK RIDE @LEGENDIA, POLAND The Basilisk dark ride opened last year at the rebranded Legendia theme park. It’s the very first interactive dark ride in Poland on such a scale and offers a one-of-a-kind experience featuring the most advanced interactive dark ride technology, within an affordable budget.
The story of Bazyliszek is based on Polish folklore. In the peaceful village of Kurkowo, citizens are fighting monsters, the most dangerous one being the Basilisk. The Monster Hunter vehicle takes visitors through ancient villages, dark caves, forests and ruins. During the fierce battle they use their Monster Hunter Gun, an Alterface-designed laser weapon with light and mirror technology for special effects, with players competing for the highest score.
Pawel Cebula, CEO of Legendia, Poland: “It’s a great honour for us and our team to receive all these awards for the Basilisk ride. We had full confidence it would be a successful ride and have seen a tremendous interest from visitors over summertime.”
Benoit Cornet, CEO & Founder of Alterface: “It’s taken a while for the market to recognise the importance of a family ride that offers more than a short thrill and whereby all family members can participate, sharing the fun and experience. The multiple awards for Basilisk clearly demonstrate the firm belief in interactive mixed-media attractions, offering highly immersive experiences. We’re very proud of this attraction which perfectly synchronises all ride elements into a dynamic and compelling game.”
Bazyliszek was created by Alterface in close cooperation with Jora Vision and ETF Ride Systems for Legendia theme park in Poland
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
With virtual, augmented and mixed reality experiences at the forefront
of new and emerging trends within the attractions sector, Alterface shares
how it’s working with the technology on its interactive mixed-reality dark rides
As creative director, Laurence Beckers drives Alterface’s Creative Division, developing turnkey attractions for its customers
Physical attractions at theme parks or other venues need to offer their guests something they cannot experience at home.
There’s been a lot of hype surrounding head mounted displays (HMD), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). However, there are still many hurdles prohibitiong flawless implementation and usage, especially related to motion and safety. Mixed Reality (MR) offers a more realistic option, combining physical spaces and elements with digital overlays. The technology behind it is less complicated and operationally more feasible. After all, technology should facilitate and enhance the experience of the visitors.
Mixed reality (MR), sometimes referred to as ‘hybrid reality’, is the merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments and visualisations where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time. This mix of reality and virtual reality encompasses both augmented reality and augmented virtuality via immersive technology.
Mixed reality is an environment in which real world and virtual world objects are presented together within a single display or setting. In theme parks, this is often manifested through dark ride attractions within an indoor physical space. Most often, these are using high definition screens, video and 3D projection mapping, optical illusions and animatronic figures, as well as variable lighting to enhance the immersion of guests into the story.
Upon developing a mixed reality attraction, the following requirements should be taken into consideration:
• Choice of story or theme (IP or proprietary)
• Type of experience, nature of the ride
• Capacity of the attraction
• Available space
• Target audience
• Type of attraction within park offering
• Budget and timeframe
Based on the outcome, a first concept and proposal can be developed. Besides safety, robustness and a high throughput, attractions should be offering a fun experience. This can be obtained by immersing people into the story, allowing them to get better at something and offering them both an internal and a social experience. This is where interactive technology kicks in.
Digital layers and interactivity will maximise the physical environment and augment the theme. Guests will feel empowered and get fully immersed into the story, which should certainly not be overcomplicated. Not only can guests improve personal scoring, but also enjoy the experience with family or friends.
Alterface has been developing interactive mixed-media attractions for many years, creating new technology advancements each year. The most recent one is NOMAD (New Optimized Mobile Action Device) – a compact and portable device enabling interaction with media screens, scenery and animatronics. NOMAD brings a new level of game simplification and interaction, based on Alterface’s patented technology.
All attractions developed by the Alterface team are based on a very modular approach, with solutions to fit every need and budget, making each attraction unique. The newest non-linear solutions are very flexible and scalable, fitting smaller footprints in buildings or even spreading across the park to maximise use of space.
Compared to a game or a movie, a mixed reality dark ride is all about movement and flow rather than singular actions. Shooting or interacting on-screen is less important than the way the transitions from one scene to another are done. An effectively-themed, media-based dark ride with a good balance is the best guarantee for a successful ride with long lifespan. Therefore, park owners should always first get proper advice and consider all options, thus making sure the concept is right before starting to build the actual ride.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Rides: Themed dreams
We take a look at some of the major
openings at visitor attractions worldwide
Theme Parks: Fan power
Jordan Middleton explains how operators
can best work with their audiences
Tourism: The Tourist Trap
What role could attractions play to keep
tourism beneficial for residents and
visitors alike? Kath Hudson reports
Conference: Creativity Cocktail
This year’s SATE conference came to the global epicentre for themed entertainment – Orlando – as the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) searched for the secrets to “The Experience Recipe”.
Promotional feature: Whitewater
WhiteWater is branching out of the waterpark business as it
introduces two new attractions products and its brand new
Vantage guest engagement and management software
Show report: Enabling fun
Tom Anstey was on-hand to see what was
on offer at this year’s Euro Attractions Show
Promotional feature: Simtec - forward thinking
Simtec is a flying theatre and simulator ride supplier
for the attractions industry, as well as a manufacturer
of driving and flight simulation applications
Case Study BASILISK INTERACTIVE DARK RIDE @LEGENDIA, POLAND The Basilisk dark ride opened last year at the rebranded Legendia theme park. It’s the very first interactive dark ride in Poland on such a scale and offers a one-of-a-kind experience featuring the most advanced interactive dark ride technology, within an affordable budget.
The story of Bazyliszek is based on Polish folklore. In the peaceful village of Kurkowo, citizens are fighting monsters, the most dangerous one being the Basilisk. The Monster Hunter vehicle takes visitors through ancient villages, dark caves, forests and ruins. During the fierce battle they use their Monster Hunter Gun, an Alterface-designed laser weapon with light and mirror technology for special effects, with players competing for the highest score.
Pawel Cebula, CEO of Legendia, Poland: “It’s a great honour for us and our team to receive all these awards for the Basilisk ride. We had full confidence it would be a successful ride and have seen a tremendous interest from visitors over summertime.”
Benoit Cornet, CEO & Founder of Alterface: “It’s taken a while for the market to recognise the importance of a family ride that offers more than a short thrill and whereby all family members can participate, sharing the fun and experience. The multiple awards for Basilisk clearly demonstrate the firm belief in interactive mixed-media attractions, offering highly immersive experiences. We’re very proud of this attraction which perfectly synchronises all ride elements into a dynamic and compelling game.”
Bazyliszek was created by Alterface in close cooperation with Jora Vision and ETF Ride Systems for Legendia theme park in Poland
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
