The Gear VR powered coasters include complex gameplay and use of the passthrough camera.
When Six Flags first joined forces with Samsung last Spring to include Gear VR headsets on rides at theme parks across the country, it was unclear how first-time VR users would react. But based on some of the reactions we’ve seen from riders, adding VR to roller coasters kinda made sense, refreshing existing coasters and taking the entire ride experience to a new level of interactivity.
Now the two companies are doubling down once again on VR roller coasters, renewing their collaboration with the unveiling of The New Revolution Galactic Attack ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, near San Francisco.
A new innovative twist on the VR roller coaster, the new ride experience will include complex gameplay, where riders make key decisions during the course of the ride that can affect their scoring at the end. And for the first-time, riders donning Gear VR headsets will be introduced to the device’s passthrough camera functionality, instantly making riders aware of their surroundings, by allowing them to see the “real world,” including the person seated next to them — along with virtual content.
Although varying levels of game interactivity have been present at Six Flags VR roller coasters in the past, marrying that with the use of mixed reality technology in this new ride is quite groundbreaking.
According to Samsung, as you get settled into the ride, a heads up display overlay on the passthrough camera view will show you data like current status of weaponry, time codes, fuel cells, and a countdown clock. As you begin to crest the massive lift hill, a swirling wormhole comes into view. As you drop at high speeds, the mixed reality view changes to a completely immersive VR environment and a fighter spaceship cockpit materializes and envelops you into a tunnel of light. At the bottom of the first hill, you are launched into the middle of a space battle, coming under attack from flying drones firing lasers and missiles. After swinging through tight channels, narrowly dodging drones and artillery fire, you are brought into one of three drone bays, each of which offer a completely different gaming experience and three different endings.
To commemorate the opening weekend of The New Revolution Galactic Attack on February 18-20, both parks are “attacking” hunger by hosting a food drive. Every paid guest or season pass holder who brings a full bag of non-perishable food items to support local regional food banks will be given an exclusive opportunity to enjoy the VR ride experience before it opens to the public the following weekend, February 25-26 at Six Flags Magic Mountain and February 20 at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom.
If you stop by Six Flags Magic Mountain you can experience Galactic Attack on The New Revolution. If you make your way to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, The New Revolution Galactic Attack VR can be experienced on Kong, the park’s floorless looping coaster. Both rides are free with park admission.
If you do end up checking out the ride, we’d love to see your reaction videos, so feel free to hit us up on Twitter or Facebook.
