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).
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
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).
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
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