When one visits a theme park, the last thing you’d expect is to don a virtual reality headset. Surprisingly, the reality is very different in this regard. Especially where rollercoasters are concerned, virtual reality has been a powerful marketing tool. Especially now that building new rollercoasters have become too expensive for most parks, a VR option looks all the more appealing. VR Amusement rides are slowly becoming the new normal, which is a rather interesting trend to keep an eye on.
Virtual Reality and Theme Parks go Hand-in-hand
Thrillseekers all over the world have a profound love for theme parks. Especially rides which will make you feel more alive than ever before tend to attract a lot of attention. For those who have already conquered every rollercoaster in the book, however, there is a big void waiting to be filled. A new world’s longest rollercoaster is in development, but no one knows for sure when it will open its doors. Until then, thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies have to look for other solutions.
This is where virtual reality comes into the picture. Contrary to popular belief, there are a fair few immersive VR amusement ride experiences on the market today. We are not necessarily talking about using VR on existing rides, but rather the experiences people can enjoy at home or in public places. Although using a VR headset with existing rides is also quite fun, many people still consider it to be a safety risk first and foremost. For those brave enough to give it a try, the experience is very different from the non-VR version, though.
One of the benefits of using a VR “overlay” for existing rides is how the customer experience is very different.Rather than looking at the sky or theme park itself, you might find yourself traversing a fantasy world or even the inside of a volcano. These surreal landscapes cna come in many different shapes and sizes. It is evident this is an opportunity a lot of theme parks will continue to explore for quite some time to come. This does not just apply to roller coasters, mind you, as the technology can be applied to any theme park attraction that comes to mind.
A virtual theme park, on the other hand, is perhaps the next frontier waiting to be explored. Although it would use some specific gadgets to recreate powerful immersive experiences, no one can deny there are a lot of exciting opportunities waiting to be explored as well.For now, the future of virtual reality and theme parks looks very bright. It is unclear what the future will hold exactly, but for now, there’s a genuine reason to be excited.
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