Callum Cooper, Squint/Opera

Creative digital studio Squint/Opera has completed the final phase of a permanent immersive digital exhibition at the Empire State Building.

Part of the iconic New York building’s reimagined Observatory Experience, the exhibit spans more than 35,000sq ft (3,250sq m) and features large scale projection-mapped displays and single-use virtual viewers.

The experience was developed in partnership with design firm Thinc and audio studio Antfood, with Squint/Opera creating digital elements for more than 40 exhibits.

Using photography combined with 3D models, historic footage and visual effects, the immersive experience allows visitors to step into historic street scenes and scenes featuring the construction of the iconic New York City landmark.

A VR animated film featuring King Kong allows guests to watch as the giant gorilla climbs the Empire State Building. As part of the experience, guests can climb into Kong’s hand, which rumbles in sync with his roars.

“The Empire State Building’s Observatory Experience exhibition was ambitious from start to finish,” said Squint/Opera director Callum Cooper. “It gave our creatives the opportunity to collaborate with historians and top film talent to create an experience which brings together the physical and the digital.”

attractions-kit keyword: SQUINT/OPERA

New galleries tell the story of the Empire State Building and its impact on pop-culture over the last 90 years

Dina Benadon, Super 78

Super 78 Studios, a media-based attractions design firm based in Los Angeles, US, has partnered with Microsoft Surface to launch Geppetto v. 2020 – an updated version of the company’s existing Gepetto software.

A real-time animation platform, Geppetto enables operators to offer ‘live’ animated shows where the animated characters are able to interact with guests without the need for motion capture suits.

The technology has been used to power a number of live interactive character experiences around the world, including Donkey Live! at Universal Studios Singapore and The Smurfs Village Playhouse at Motiongate Dubai.

Designed to be more user-friendly, Geppetto v. 2020 – which is powering 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: An Interactive Adventure attraction at Moody Gardens amusement park in Galveston, Texas – has an improved user interface, which gives performers fingertip access to their character, giving them more control over their interactions.

The guest experience has also been improved, with Geppetto v. 2020 offering realistic graphics and extreme visual effects in real-time, as well as choose-your-own-adventure storytelling.

“Today’s consumers expect immersive experiences in everything they do and we created Geppetto to deliver on that expectation with some of the world’s most beloved animated characters,” says Dina Benadon, CEO of Super 78. “The fact that we were recognised by the Microsoft Surface team as innovators makes me very proud of the millions of smiles we’ve delivered.”

attractions-kit keyword: SUPER 78

Geppetto enables park operators to offer ‘live’ animated shows where the animated characters are able to interact in real-time

Mark Wadsworth, Digital Projection

St Stephan’s, a Baroque cathedral in Passau, Germany, celebrated its 350-year history with Symphony of Light and Sound – a spectacular video mapped show, projected onto the cathedral’s façade.

The cathedral, which was built in the 17th century, has its story told through the multi-media show, which chronicles its entire history.

It was delivered by German company GF Bühnenfabrik and is powered by Digital Prohection’s M-Vision Laser 18K – a single-chip DLP projector that offers an output of 18,000 lumens and 10,000:1 contrast ratio.

“Thanks to its high brightness output and performance, a single projector was able to map the entire cathedral to deliver a pristine show, which exceeded the expectations of the organiser,” says Mark Wadsworth, VP of Global Marketing at Digital Projection.

The projector was designed to be used as a large-screen solution for installations and events, where ample light output is required. It features a motorised zoom and focus, as well as a DisplayPort capable of accepting frames up to 60Hz, HDMI 1.4 for Frame Packing and Top Bottom 3D formats.

attractions-kit keyword: DIGITAL PROJECTION

The show is powered by an M-Vision Laser 18K projector

Heidi Pinchal, Holovis

Discovery Destinations, a leader in real-world entertainment, has announced a new strategic partnership with UK-based experience design firm Holovis.

Holovis will act as a technology partner for the company and will add new dimensions to its existing experiences, through the implementation of multi-sensory and immersive effects, as well as creating new immersive experiences designed to inspire, inform and entertain.

“Through this partnership, we’re aiming to engage all five senses to deliver sensational experiences that have never been done before with our content,” says Christine Wacker, VP of Location Based Entertainment at Discovery. “This will make the experiences even more powerful and ultimately memorable.”

Holovis will deliver scalable turnkey solutions combining AV, intuitive interactivity and emerging technologies across Discovery’s entire entertainment portfolio, which includes themed entertainment spaces, hotels, live shows, exhibits and cruise ships.

“We will also be looking at ways to extend and enhance the experience even further utilising our proprietary software suites such as HoloTrac,” says Heidi Pinchal, business development at Holovis.

“Guests are identified through a powerful attribute recognition engine and their personalised adventures are driven through modules including gesture and object recognition. This allows frictionless and intuitive interaction with the space to enjoy nonlinear narratives and experiences.

“By putting them in control of their own adventure they can influence the virtual world around them for experiences that different every time depending on their interests, mood and how they choose to engage.”

attractions-kit keyword: HOLOVIS

Holovis will supply turnkey solutions for Discovery

Josh Hays, S&S

US roller coaster manufacturer S&S Worldwide has announced the launch of the Axis Coaster – its new rotating rollercoaster.

Using 4D vehicle technology, the new ride rotates guests around the track to make them feel like they’re flying. It also features customisable layouts that can be adapted to suit space restrictions and can be configured as either a thrill ride or a family-friendly coaster.

“This ride offers an experience unlike any other to its riders,” says Josh Hays, executive director of Sales at S&S. “The Axis coaster rotates around the axis of the track. That means that the rider could be above the track, below the track or swinging out to either side. Riders will be surprised by the way the train twists and turns, and our engineers at S&S have ensured that the vehicle will do exactly what it’s designed to do.”

Preston Perkes, director of administration at S&S, added: “This ride has been in the works for three years now. It started as a concept from one of our employees and evolved to what we are bringing to the market today. There are things you will be able to do on this coaster that you can’t do on any other ride in the world.”

attractions-kit keyword: S&S WORLDWIDE

The Axis Coaster was launched at the IAAPA show in Orlando