Dominique de Font-Réaulx, director of Mediation and Cultural Programming at the Louvre

The Louvre in Paris, France, is set to open its first virtual reality experience later this year.

Scheduled to open on 24 October and run until 24 February 2020, the experience, called Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass, is billed as an ‘immersive experience of a masterpiece’ and enables viewers to experience the iconic painting as never before.

Part of a retrospective exhibition commemorating the 500th anniversary of Leonardo Da Vinci’s death, the VR experience uses an HTC Vive Headset to show visitors details in the painting previously invisible to the naked eye. It also provides insight into the painting techniques Da Vinici would have used and the identity of his sitter, who is widely believed to be Lisa del Giocondo, an Italian noblewoman.

The experience was developed by French VR studio Emissive, which worked closely with the curatorial team at the Louvre and with HTC Vive Arts. Visitors are brought face-to-face with The Mona Lisa in VR, with the experience digitally removing the crowds before drawing them into the painting and flying them through its mountainous landscape. An extended version of the experience is available for download via HTC’s Viveport platform.

“The public will be able to discover an immersive experience of an extraordinary masterpiece,” says Dominique de Font-Réaulx, director of Mediation and Cultural Programming at the Louvre. “This collaboration will allow visitors to meet and learn more about the Mona Lisa herself, beyond the legends that have accompanied her for more than 500 years.”

attractions-kit keyword: HTC VIVE ARTS

Mona Lisa: Beyond the Glass is a part of a retrospective of da Vinci’s work, commemorating the 500 years since his death

Mark O’Connor, director, Marcon

Marcon, a fit-out specialist based in Northern Ireland, has been appointed by English Heritage to complete a site-wide interpretation scheme at Whitby Abbey in North Yorkshire.

The Abbey is an iconic landmark that inspired the setting for Bram Stoker’s Dracula, as well as providing inspiration for other literary icons including Lewis Carroll, JWM Turner and Caedmon.

Working closely with London-based design firm Drinkall Dean, Marcon will be responsible for completing the detail development, manufacture and delivery of the museum’s visitor centre, which will include graphics, AV hardware and the co-ordination of all work packages.

“The sheer variety of projects within the heritage fit-out sector makes it a challenge and really enjoyable industry to work in,” says Mark O’Connor, director of Marcon. “Securing our first project with English Heritage is a significant milestone.”

attractions-kit keyword : MARCON

The overhauled museum occupies the upper level of Cholmley House

Sensory discovery has become a key element of the museum

Benedikt Grindle, managing director, Ubisoft Blue Byte

Ubisoft Blue Byte, a subsidiary of French gaming company Ubisoft, has developed a new location-based virtual reality escape room experience, which its MD, Benedikt Grindle, says will “revolutionise the location-based entertainment industry”.

Called Beyond Medusa’s Gate, the escape room launched at locations across the US and Europe earlier this year and builds on the success of the brand’s Escape the Lost Pyramid experience.

“The level of immersion in Beyond Medusa’s Gate is astonishing and will make players feel like they are truly in the game,” said Grindle. “Our goal is to revolutionise the location-based entertainment industry and bring VR to a mainstream audience.”

The adventure begins with players choosing from one of six customisable avatars before they are ‘transported’ to Ancient Greece, where they find themselves in a coastal cave on the Aegean sea with the legendary ship of the Argonauts. Players then have 60 minutes to escape the cave, using a combination of teamwork and problem-solving.

“Ubisoft is tapping into two popular and growing entertainment trends – combining escape rooms and location-based VR in a highly immersive, one-of-a-kind experiences,” said Cyril Voiron, executive producer for Ubisoft’s Escape Games.

attractions-kit keyword : UBISOFT

Beyond Medusa’s Gate is set in Ancient Greece

Geoff Chutter, WhiteWater

WhiteWater West has announced a new agreement with partner Wiegand-Maelzer that will give the company exclusive license rights to, and become the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of, the German supplier’s award-winning SlideWheel attraction.

Inspired by the iconic Ferris Wheel, the rotating waterslide was designed to create a unique experience for visitors.

Already installed at Chimelong Paradise in Guangzhou, China, the attraction is made up of a number of intertwined water slides that rotate on a wheel, offering dynamic motion such as backwards sliding, strong G-forces and pendulum movements.

The ride has already won multiple awards including the IAAPA Impact Award, a Brass Ring Award, a Thea Award and the World Waterpark Association’s Leading Edge Award.

“We’re immensely excited about the SlideWheel which, with its iconic design and one-of-a-kind ride experience, will be an unmissable attraction at water parks around the world,” said Geoff Chutter, president and CEO of WhiteWater.

In related news, Rainer Maelzer – who was part of the original team that created the SlideWheel – has joined WhiteWater as a consultant. Maelzer has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the waterpark industry, gleaned from his 12-year tenure as CEO of Wiegand-Maelzer.

attractions-kit keyword : WHITEWATER

The first SlideWheel opened at Chimelong Water Park in China

Jan Goetgeluk, CEO Virtuix

Virtuix, developer of both the Omni VR treadmill and the VR Arena e-sports attraction, has installed its first VR Arena at Pinballz – a family entertainment centre in Austin, Texas.

Developed in partnership with turnkey attraction specialist Funovation, the VR Arena consists of four omni motion platforms, which enable players to move around inside a simulation and staging area, which can accommodate up to 20 players per hour. A social sharing station also enables players to share their gameplay videos.

“The launch of VR Arena is a big milestone for our company,” says Jan Goetgeluk, founder and CEO of Virtuix. “The initial reactions and orders since our unveiling have been overwhelming. Our main focus now is to fulfil our order backlog and, ultimately, we aim to install a VR Arena at every FEC, trampoline park, bowling centre and large entertainment venue in the US and elsewhere.”

The VR Arena offers weekly and monthly e-sports tournaments organised by Virtuix, Funovation, HP and HTC. On offer for entrants is an annual prize pool worth more than US$50,000, with the company planning to install a total of 20 systems around the US by the end of 2019.

“Virtuix’s VR attraction has been a big draw for our guests, especially those in the gaming community,” says Pinballz owner Darren Spohn. “Revenues and player numbers have so far exceeded our expectations. VR Arena is off to a great start.”

attractions-kit keyword : VIRTUIX

Omni VR allows a free roam experience in a small footprint