Holograms and “Gamification” Raising the Bar for Theme Parks

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 Holograms and “Gamification” Raising the Bar for Theme Parks On every gamer’s Christmas list, the eagerly awaited Xbox Kinetic is due to be launched later this year. Set to be the next step up from the hugely successful Wii platform, Kinetic does not require a hand held controller and incorporates software that allows players to use voice, gesture and even facial expression to interact with the on screen action. How will theme parks and attractions compete with home based wizardry?

Related: Total Immersion - The Goal of Interactive Gaming / Attractions: The Future of Out-of-Home Entertainment /Getting In the Game. What The Experiential Design Industry Can Learn from Today’s Gamer Culture It seems incredible that we will have games that can recognise us as individuals and interpret our emotions, however a recent article in the Observer sets out even more amazing advances that are just around the corner. Challenges and opportunities lie ahead for out of home entertainment….. Whilst 3D cinema, TV and gaming and 5D attractions are currently enjoying a surge of popularity, the stumbling block to world domination has been the need to wear 3D glasses. This is set to change, however, with Nintendo due to launch a glasses-free DS console in 2011. Underway are the creation of 3D holograms that can interact physically with the user; Sony have already exhibited a demonstration model of a 3D hologram which responds to viewers hand movements. Researchers at Tokyo University are taking the next step: by using ultrasonic waves users are able to feel 3D holographic characters running on their hands or touch raindrops. As we move to deeper physical immersion in gaming, advances are already being made in mental interaction. NeuroSky’s current NeuroBoy game uses electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor and interpret brainwave patterns via a headset. This allows users to levitate on screen objects by relaxing, or to set them on fire by concentrating hard! Future developments will maximise the individual’s enjoyment of the gaming experience by reading thoughts and biometric signs and tailor the action accordingly. Further down the road we’re promised even more all encompassing “gamification”, where reality will be augmented to such an extent that every part of our lives will have an element of gaming. From shopping to tax returns we’ll be able to transform mundane tasks into dragon slaying adventures.
Posted By Charles Read -- At 12:54 PM \| Comments (2) \| Trackbacks (0)
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Categories Amusement Parks, Attractions Business, FECs Tags 5D, kinetic, neuroboy, neurosky, xbox
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One of the pleasures of theme parks is seeing other people enjoying what you are enjoying and I can't help feeling that there will always be a place for those amusements that are shared. It's all very well immersing yourself in your own particular games and hobbies but there is something special about being with like minded people who are also having a good time. Maybe these new developments will find a way of combining both these things.

Comment By George Williams At 9/21/2010 8:06 PM

Gamification is definitely taking over the world and for good reason. Adding a game layer to non-gaming contexts, such as shopping and tax returns will make people more engaged in those mundane tasks.

We are already seeing several online sites moving in this direction, such as mint.com and linkedin.com. Both of those are about as far away from 'gaming' as can be, but both employ game mechanics to encourage and reward their users to do desirable tasks.

At http://bigdoor.com we have created a powerful API to allow any website to quickly and easily add a game layer on top of their existing sites.

Comment By Tommy At 9/22/2010 7:09 PM