In 2018, the first theme park using virtual and
augmented reality only is projected to open in China. This concept called
L.I.V.E Centre (Landmark Interactive Virtual Experience) and created by
Landmark Entertainment Group, will enable its guests to visit an interactive
museum, a virtual zoo and aquarium as well as a digital art gallery. All of
these attractions will be allowed by high tech equipment such as 3D screen,
surround sound system and special effects.
source: freedigitalphotos.net
This new theme park aim is not only to provide
entertainment but also to deliver education within one destination. Tony
Christopher (Landmark Entertainment Group’s CEO) states in the interview, "With
virtual reality we can put you in the African savannah or fly you into outer
space." According to him using virtual and augmented reality will help
kids to appreciate visiting museum. It will move from a ‘boring experience’ to
a ‘fun experience’. Another example cited by Christopher is the dinosaurs.
Seeing these “legendary creatures” like if they were standing in the room is
not something you can experience in every attraction park. To see sketches of the project please click here.
The company future projections’ are to open 20 to 30 L.I.V.E.
Centres around the world.
Landmark Entertainment Group is an entertainment
design company. They are well known for creating amazing decors such as the Jurassic
Park attraction in Hollywood Universal Studios and the replica of the Grand
Canal of Venice in The Grand Venetia Hotel in Las Vegas, to name just a few. We
invite you to visit their legacy projects page where you can see all of their stunning realizations.
This article caught our attention because of the ‘wow
effect’ from the sketches of the project. There is a theme park in France, The Futuroscope,
oriented towards multimedia and visual techniques such as 3 and 4D but nothing
like the L.I.V.E. Centre. Futuroscope Park relies on physical equipment and
machines while the L.I.V.E. Centres relies only on screens. In the L.I.V.E.
Centre you do not have to go from a venue to another to see a different
attraction. It is all in one place.
It seems that virtual reality and augmented reality
are changing the shape of theme parks. And we can see from Landmark
Entertainment Group realizations that it can also be used in other venues such
as hotels and retail outlets.
This article is also interesting for MICE people. The
MICE industry can find some inspiration in virtual theme parks. Delegates will
remember a conference or an exhibition that will take them to the virtual world
through an immersive experience. Adding 3 or even 4D attractions to an event will
enhance guest experience.
Another noticeable benefit from virtual and augmented
reality is that it is flexible. You can change the content, the images or the
videos quite rapidly and adapt to the context or to new trends.
China future L.I.V.E Centre is something we both wish
to visit. However, we would like to raise two questions
- Are these virtual parks more eco-friendly than traditional ones? Especially in terms of electricity consumption.
- Are the screens designed in a way they do not damage the eyes?
Lise Cimbolini & Trung duc Nguyen
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