I think VR is going a little too far

[Zontar]

http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/la-ronde-to-open-canada-s-first-virtual-reality-roller-coaster-1.2804244

So in another move that seems to be pushing the VR trend, Montreal amusement park La Ronde has added a VR system to its flagship ride "The Goliath" which allows riders wearing the park's Oculus systems to feel immersed in a full 3d 360 degree dogfight during an alien invasion.

All I have to ask is "why". Like, seriously, why? The Goliath is exhilarating enough as it is, why do you need to turn it into a video game on top of that?

 

[Secondhand Revenant]

How is this too far? Some people may enjoy it. I find it rather impossible to say whether it enhances or detracts from the experience without trying it. I'm not seeing you giving a good reason to think it detracts, which I would expect if you are saying it's going too far.

 

[VincentRollsRoyce]

VR is going to be a huge hit in the next couple of years. You think it's going too far now just wait till you see what else they can use it for. Just look how much it has grown in this short amount of time.

 

[Saelune]

So they wear them...on the coaster? I think theme parks using VR is a fine idea...but I hope they test it first. Or have a ton of custodians ready to clean the vomit, and people on hand to help anyone with dizziness.

Not like this is a new thing though, just using better tech. Hopefully Disney Quest will take advantage of it and maybe be a thing worth going to again. That lightsaber super-hero...thing, would make use of it since it already used old outdated VR.

 

[Elfgore]

That sounds like quite a bit of fun actually. No idea what The Goliath is, but here at King's Island we got the Flight of Fear, which is some Area 51 alien themed roller coaster. I would totally ride it with a VR headset on with some aliens attacking me or something.

 

[Zontar]

No idea what The Goliath is

It's Canada's tallest, largest, longest roller coaster. Or at least it was until Canada's Wonderland in Toronto made a rip-off that's slightly taller, larger and longer. Leave it to Toronto to take an idea from Montreal and try to steal the thunder.

VR is going to be a huge hit in the next couple of years. You think it's going too far now just wait till you see what else they can use it for. Just look how much it has grown in this short amount of time.

I'm aware of that, but to paraphrase two movies I quite enjoyed: people asked if they could instead of if they should, and it's a roller coaster, it's 'wow' enough.

 

[Sniper Team 4]

VR will be going too far when it completely replaces reality--as in, you live in that world for as long as you can. Goodbye social interaction, goodbye work, goodbye sex, goodbye being human. That's when VR will have gone too far.

As for VR on a roller coaster ride, I'm a bit leery of it just because it might make people sick. Or, sicker. They're probably going to want to test this first, but if it works out, I'd love to do this. It doesn't sound all that different from Star Tours in Disneyland.

I'm aware of that, but to paraphrase two movies I quite enjoyed: people asked if they could instead of if they should, and it's a roller coaster, it's 'wow' enough.

While I get what you're saying, if that type of thinking prevailed all the time, we would never have gotten beyond wooden roller coasters that only go up one or two stories, and you can forget about the ones that have loops or where your feet hang down. Just because something is already fun doesn't mean it can't be be more fun or improved on.
Besides, I'll be surprised if they don't give people the option to opt out of the goggles and just ride the coaster.

 

[Tony2077]

well it all comes down to 10 isn't good enough lets turn it up to 11

 

[cathou]

So they wear them...on the coaster? I think theme parks using VR is a fine idea...but I hope they test it first. Or have a ton of custodians ready to clean the vomit, and people on hand to help anyone with dizziness.

Not like this is a new thing though, just using better tech. Hopefully Disney Quest will take advantage of it and maybe be a thing worth going to again. That lightsaber super-hero...thing, would make use of it since it already used old outdated VR.

La ronde, is owned by Six Flag. They are opening this season with VR coaster in 9 park, so i guess they have tested it. Apparently, it's powered by Samsung gear VR

http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/la-ronde-to-open-canada-s-first-virtual-reality-roller-coaster-1.2804244

So in another move that seems to be pushing the VR trend, Montreal amusement park La Ronde has added a VR system to its flagship ride "The Goliath" which allows riders wearing the park's Oculus systems to feel immersed in a full 3d 360 degree dogfight during an alien invasion.

All I have to ask is "why". Like, seriously, why? The Goliath is exhilarating enough as it is, why do you need to turn it into a video game on top of that?

To be fair Zontar, you dont have to wear the VR googles. they are giving people the choise to do it or not. So if the normal ride is enough for you, dont use the VR thing...

And La ronde have a space problem. it's on an island, and it's packed. so unless we build a new metro system (see note below) they cannot have more space. if you want something new, you need to remove something. but adding thing like VR to an existing ride give you a renewed experience, without having to destroy someting


**for the little history, la ronde is build partially on an island that was called Ile Ronde (round island). when they build the metro system for the universal expo in 67, they took all the stone and soil that they remove form the excavation, and fill the gap between the St-H?l?ne island and several other smaller island that was near to form the new island we know today

 

[Shoggoth2588]

That sounds freaking awesome. This is coming from somebody who hasn't been on a roller coaster in about 5 years or more but still...that sounds absolutely bad ass. I've never heard of The Goliath but maybe some American parks will do something similar. Of course I don't want that to be the ONLY option since going on a coaster on its own is always going to be exhilarating to me.

 

[axlryder]

I just hope VR goes far enough to justify its own existence in the eyes of investors. If this helps with that, then great. Also, if roller coasters in general didn't make me violently ill then I'd probably be down to try that.

 

[FirstNameLastName]

That sounds like a custom built nausea machine, so count me out. However, I really have no idea how this is going "too far".

...

I'm aware of that, but to paraphrase two movies I quite enjoyed: people asked if they could instead of if they should, and it's a roller coaster, it's 'wow' enough.

That quote really only applies if there is a reason why they shouldn't, because if you can, and you want to, and there is no reason why you shouldn't, then what does it matter if you do?

And the whole "it's wow enough" logic could, and often is, applied to all manner of things, but who is to decide what is "wow enough?" Who gets to draw the line on what is fun enough, how do we draw the line, and most of all, why?

 

[infohippie]

Can I load up fully interactive VR porn that works on ALL senses yet? No? Then VR has not yet gone far enough.

 

[Denamic]

Too far? It's a technology in its infancy. It's just good that people are trying to find applications. Why is this particular piece of entertainment 'too far'?

 

[Something Amyss]

As long as I'm not required to use it, I don't think there's such a thing as "too far."

 

[Dr. Thrax]

Hopefully Disney Quest will take advantage of it and maybe be a thing worth going to again. That lightsaber super-hero...thing, would make use of it since it already used old outdated VR.

Unfortunately, Disney Quest is already slated to close for good.
When exactly it's closing is unknown, but Disney made the announcement last year, which is kinda sad, 'cause I loved it when it first came out, but now it's not as epic as it used to be.

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

Too far? No. But seeing as how VR will more than likely take off less for gaming and more for other AR enhanced things, this is probably going to be more commonplace. Will it have staying power? Depends on the quality of the experience being offered AND how well its maintained over the years.
I still think VR as a gaming tool is fairly niche, not going to be a huge hit that validates it as the next must-have peripheral but its going to find other markets that make use of it and will ensure its not a wasted technology. Eventually gaming will be more adaptable to it, but I'm relatively certain that is still far in the future for it to be mainstream in gaming.
Back to the point, this is in no way too far and actually predictable as hell. In some instances for more narrow themed parks/rides it actually can save on costs for maintenance in the long run as the experience will be more in VR space so they don't have to repair/repaint parts of the ride.

 

[DefunctTheory]

As long as I'm not required to use it, I don't think there's such a thing as "too far."

I'm glad you approve of the nuclear powered missile carrier I use to clean the gutters, and the flame throwing robot I use to mow the lawn.

On topic, I'm not exactly sure how VR is 'to far' for an amusement park ride. The whole concept is to trick your brain into thinking something is happening that isn't, and VR headsets seem like a logical progressive step. Perhaps the last one before direct bran jacking.

Maybe when we get there, we can talk about going too far.

 

[Zombiefish]

I rode galactica at alton towers which has a VR headset. Noone was sick and everyone after the ride seemed to think it was an amazing experience (me included). It was a really unique experience which made the ride seem something special to remember. I did get a little nauseous for about 5 minutes after though.

They didnt force you to wear the headset so no I dont think its too far as you can just ignore it if you dont like it.

Biggest downsides are the huge queue times, you have to clean each headset every single time a new rider uses it, and it takes more than double the time to get the trains out of the loading bays because everyone has to adjust their headsets and secure them.

Galactica also had way more operating staff than any other coaster in the park so i wonder how sustainable it will be once the hype wears off and they have to cut staff.