Universal debuts company's first VR coaster at Japanese park
POSTED 15 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The ride will immerse visitors in the ultra-colorful world of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Credit: Universal Japan
Virtual reality continues to dominate at the start of 2016, with Universal now joining in on the act, debuting its first VR coaster at its park in Osaka themed around Japanese fashion model and singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (Crayon Shin-chan).
Known as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu XR Ride, the colourful version of the VR coaster by Mack has been added to their Space Fantasy spinning rollercoaster. First opened in March 2010 as a replacement for the park’s E.T. dark ride, the Mack-designed coaster is themed as a space adventure, using special effects and immersive theming.
The addition is part of Universal’s Cool Japan videogame, anime, manga and Japanese pop culture attraction, which runs from 15 January through to 26 June.
When the park announced the Kyary Pamyu Pamyu addition, it said it would be “like nothing that has ever been experienced before”. Now revealed as Japan’s first VR coaster, the attraction will envelop riders in the artist’s music, fashion and unique music videos.
Using precise synchronisation, riders are shown a 3D animated world, matching the basic track with the option to add in non-existent ride elements. Using VR the manufacturer can manipulate the rider’s perception of speed, height, length and dimensions, completely changing the layout and locale of the track. With music composed by Yasutaka Nakata, visitors will be immersed in the ultra-colorful world of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, with part of the simulation creating a 200m (656ft) drop.
"This is our largest project so far and it’s become very impressive,” said VR Coaster’s Thomas Wagner, inventor of the technology, speaking to Attractions Management.
“It’s a very nice gravity coaster and we have enhanced and extended the track a lot in VR. The spinning capability of the cars has been switched off so the VR choreography could be precisely planned.”
According to Universal Japan, Universal Cool Japan contributed to increasing the number of visitors to the theme park by about 200,000 a month during its six-month run. In addition to Kyary Pamyu Pamyu XR Ride, Cool Japan also welcomes back its Attack on Titan recreation, Evangelion 4D dark ride, Biohazard (Resident Evil) immersive experience and Monster Hunter recreation, all with new features and upgrades.
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UK theme park has revealed a teaser for “Something Exciting!”, rumoured to be the
addition of virtual reality to its Air rollercoaster.
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flying coaster, with a ¥10bn (US$83.4m, €74.2m, £54.9m) investment into the B&M-
manufactured ride.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu added to reimagined Universal Cool Japan for 2016 POSTED 22 Sep 2015. BY Tom Anstey Universal has announced that its Japanese theme park in Japan is bringing back its
Universal Cool Japan attraction next year after a successful first run in 2015,
including a new ride inspired by Japanese fashion model and singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
(Crayon Shin-chan).
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that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
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Universal debuts company's first VR coaster at Japanese park
POSTED 15 Jan 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The ride will immerse visitors in the ultra-colorful world of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Credit: Universal Japan
Virtual reality continues to dominate at the start of 2016, with Universal now joining in on the act, debuting its first VR coaster at its park in Osaka themed around Japanese fashion model and singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu (Crayon Shin-chan).
Known as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu XR Ride, the colourful version of the VR coaster by Mack has been added to their Space Fantasy spinning rollercoaster. First opened in March 2010 as a replacement for the park’s E.T. dark ride, the Mack-designed coaster is themed as a space adventure, using special effects and immersive theming.
The addition is part of Universal’s Cool Japan videogame, anime, manga and Japanese pop culture attraction, which runs from 15 January through to 26 June.
When the park announced the Kyary Pamyu Pamyu addition, it said it would be “like nothing that has ever been experienced before”. Now revealed as Japan’s first VR coaster, the attraction will envelop riders in the artist’s music, fashion and unique music videos.
Using precise synchronisation, riders are shown a 3D animated world, matching the basic track with the option to add in non-existent ride elements. Using VR the manufacturer can manipulate the rider’s perception of speed, height, length and dimensions, completely changing the layout and locale of the track. With music composed by Yasutaka Nakata, visitors will be immersed in the ultra-colorful world of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, with part of the simulation creating a 200m (656ft) drop.
"This is our largest project so far and it’s become very impressive,” said VR Coaster’s Thomas Wagner, inventor of the technology, speaking to Attractions Management.
“It’s a very nice gravity coaster and we have enhanced and extended the track a lot in VR. The spinning capability of the cars has been switched off so the VR choreography could be precisely planned.”
According to Universal Japan, Universal Cool Japan contributed to increasing the number of visitors to the theme park by about 200,000 a month during its six-month run. In addition to Kyary Pamyu Pamyu XR Ride, Cool Japan also welcomes back its Attack on Titan recreation, Evangelion 4D dark ride, Biohazard (Resident Evil) immersive experience and Monster Hunter recreation, all with new features and upgrades.
Is Alton Towers about to unveil a VR coaster? POSTED 04 Jan 2016. BY Tom Anstey With Merlin bosses hoping to rekindle interest in Alton Towers after a poor summer, the
UK theme park has revealed a teaser for “Something Exciting!”, rumoured to be the
addition of virtual reality to its Air rollercoaster.
Universal Japan reveals Jurassic Park coaster coming in 2016 POSTED 06 Oct 2015. BY Tom Anstey Universal Studios Japan (USJ) has announced plans for a Jurassic Park-themed
flying coaster, with a ¥10bn (US$83.4m, €74.2m, £54.9m) investment into the B&M-
manufactured ride.
Kyary Pamyu Pamyu added to reimagined Universal Cool Japan for 2016 POSTED 22 Sep 2015. BY Tom Anstey Universal has announced that its Japanese theme park in Japan is bringing back its
Universal Cool Japan attraction next year after a successful first run in 2015,
including a new ride inspired by Japanese fashion model and singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
(Crayon Shin-chan).
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally
opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its
next phase. [more...]
