SpectraVerse™ Attraction System; the Evolution of Mass Customization
I recall attending a SATE conference presentation 10+ years ago on the topic of “Mass Customization”.
A topic that sounded obscure at the time but after listening, I gained a deeper understanding of how critically relevant it is in our development of next generation entertainment experiences. It’s clear, today’s consumers want experiences that they can influence, control, and customize. In a theme park environment, this is not always easy. It’s an environment that is inherently built for group entertainment. Simultaneous factors of thru-put capacity and durability often challenge customizable solutions, preventing mass functionality. Therefore, it’s up to designers like us to brainstorm new solutions that can check all these boxes and truly deliver experiences that achieve “mass customization”.
We all experienced our industry’s brief embrace of VR advancements, but this fell short in several areas. Operators quickly realized that the hit to thru-put capacity was killer and the experiences themselves become isolating. Surely, we can do better.
Then came augmented reality. AR’s potential is looking more and more promising, but a majority of solutions in the marketplace still have limitations. Whether it’s a restricted field-of-view, a clunky headset, or critical sightline control, AR (in its current form) must be carefully crafted to achieve its desired effect. Falcon’s Vision™ has successfully addressed these limitations, but we never stop innovating.
Photo above by Rebecca Hale/National Geographic for “Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall” exhibition organized by National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute. The exhibition utilizes the Falcon’s Vision™ headset as “binoculars” that allow guests to view computer-generated animations of chimpanzees acting out some of Jane’s important findings from her groundbreaking research.
Through Falcon’s X-lab we have gotten our hands on several new pieces of technology and have been hard at work developing outside-the-box use cases. Specifically, I’ve been part of the team at Falcon’s creating a new product line we’ve coined as SpectraVerse™. The system utilizes the latest in projection technology to enable simultaneous multi-views of a projection surface. In other words, I can be standing beside my colleague, both of us looking at the same projection screen and each seeing 2 completely different images. Layered in, is a robust tracking solution that analyzes guests positions and movements throughout the experience. This combination creates a powerful attraction that can be adapted into several formats.
In our first format, SpectraVerse Odyssey™ attraction, each guest engages with real-time interactive media content as their group travels from scene to scene in a pulsed, walk-through experience. It’s linear storytelling with complete freedom to have an individualized experience side by side with your friends or family.
The second arrangement, SpectraVerse Quest™ attraction, groups of guests roam freely in a competitive or cooperative interactive gaming environment that adapts to each player’s perspective. It is like a laser tag arena outfitted with projected media content and enabling individualized roles and missions.
Taking this new technology and adding in more traditional elements of immersive attractions such as thematic sets, lighting, and special effects, it’s quick to understand the power available to us as designers. And we haven’t even dove into the story telling possibilities yet!
At its core, SpectraVerse Odyssey™ and SpectraVerse Quest™ attractions deliver group experiences that are individually customized, the true definition of ‘mass customization’.
Meet the Author
David Schaefer
Vice President
David has been with Falcon’s Creative Group since 2007. He utilizes his mechanical engineering degree on a daily basis, studying every step of the process with a critical eye. His focus and design abilities continue to inform numerous projects in every stage of development.
Latest News
