It has grown exponentially in variety and complexity.
The “simple” task of moving people through a ride is not so simple when conceiving a rich, interactive experience.
EASY RIDER MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2013 MOVIE
The technology must remain invisible behind the story, behind the gameplay.”įrom Sesame Street: Street Mission (PortAventura World, Spain) to Volkanu, Quest for the Golden Idol, (Lost Island, US) to the Investiture of Gods, (Qingdao Oriental Movie Metropolis, China) to Basilisk, (Legendia, Poland), Alterface technologies have given guests of all ages “magic” powers and hours of play and enjoyment. For the players, you must keep it simple and seamlessly align everything. “The pre-show buildup, the integration of critical elements, the dressing of the set, all follow. “How well the game dynamics mesh with a compelling tale is key,” says Battaille. Story and gameplay are at the heart of every successful interactive attraction. These interactive attractions engage visitors and invite them to become active players in a story.
EASY RIDER MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2013 SOFTWARE
They assemble bespoke shooting devices, gameplay approaches, a range of detection alternatives and an all- encompassing show control software into seamless and cohesive attractions. Their design and engineering teams customize interactivity to specific storylines and formats to fit client and visitor preferences. Located about an hour south of Bobbejaanland, the interactive specialists at Alterface and their scenic and ride partners have created a wide range of dark ride and other interactive attractions around the world. “From targeting systems to conveyance, from media presentation to effects and scoring, there are so many new and emerging technologies available for creating what can seem like magic.” He should know. “Interactive attractions have come a long way since El Paso opened the door,” says Stéphane Battaille, CEO of Alterface, today one of the leading technology developers in the field. The Erratic ride system in use at Popcorn Revenge at Walibi Belgium. A Mack Rides and Spaceleisure project, El Paso helped pave the way for today’s explosion of interactive, immersive dark rides and attractions. Still in operation today, El Paso has remained true to its origins, offering a unique “forward to the past” interactive experience.
Riders aim at targets and hits trigger a variety of animatronics as the cars roll through themed corral, bar room, dancehall, and bank robbery scenes. Boasting Tex-Mex theming and walking-speed cars on rails, El Paso features light emitting, hand-held devices fashioned to resemble Colt. Looking back to what has been credited as the first interactive dark ride, El Paso at Bobbejaanland Park in Belgium, opened in 1988.
In hearing them, haven’t we all secretly wanted that ability to have such powers? Interactive attractions can empower us all and continue to expand the capacity to offer increasing levels of “magic.” People interacting with props and media from a distance with a mere push of a finger or flick of the wrist was the stuff of legends and mythology: Merlin and his staff, Pinocchio coming to life, Fangshi wonder-workers and Aladdin’s Genie our cultures and stories are filled with magical tales. Today’s attractions that combine story with themed environments and interactive technologies would have once been seen as magic and sorcery. Alterface blends storytelling and technology for dark ride attractions by Gene Jeffers
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