The next evolution of Virtual Reality experiences is coming to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in California, US, this fall with the introduction of North America’s first VR Coasters, said a report.

Six Flags and Samsung Electronics America, the 'official technology partner' of the world’s largest regional theme park company, are taking thrill-seekers on an all-new 360 degree adventure using Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus in the all-new Rage of the Gargoyles debuting on Kong, the park’s floorless looping roller coaster, just in time for Fright Fest starting September 24, said a report in eTurboNews.

“The guest response to the virtual reality coasters at our parks has been outstanding, further solidifying Six Flags as the world leader in innovative rides and attractions,” said Six Flags president and CEO John Duffey. “One of the most exciting things about this technology is that we have the ability to change the storylines to offer our guests new thrills and new reasons to visit our parks. Just like the Superman and New Revolution VR Coasters currently operating in nine of our parks, Rage of the Gargoyles will be another first for our guests.”

“What’s been so great about our partnership with Six Flags is that it’s perfectly in line with Samsung’s mission to bring Samsung Gear VR and virtual reality technology to the masses,” said Marc Mathieu, chief marketing officer at Samsung Electronics America. “More and more people will get to experience VR for the first time through this totally unique and immersive experience.”

In Rage of the Gargoyles, riders - wearing Samsung Gear VR headsets - are pilots seated in the cockpit of an Apache-style helicopter. With a devastated cityscape as the backdrop, a fleet of choppers prepares to battle an army of terrorising, winged creatures. The action-packed adventure begins when riders ascend up the coaster’s lift hill as the blood-thirsty gargoyles mercilessly attack the copter’s fragile glass barrier. The epic on-screen conflict quickly accelerates as the high-definition imagery synchs perfectly to the coaster’s movements sending riders twisting, turning and diving through the hazardous city streets - flying over battered skyscrapers, plunging underneath twisted bridges and dodging falling debris, all while shooting to repel these lethal demons and conquer the vicious master gargoyle. A surprise ending to this fully-immersive virtual odyssey will leave guests breathless, and ready to experience Rage of the Gargoyles over and over again.

This groundbreaking VR coaster gaming experience does not need a touchpad or buttons to activate, allowing riders to keep their hands on the lap bar as they shoot. Instead, the mounted Gatling guns on the helicopters are controlled through head movements and as soon as an attacker is targeted, the weapon automatically fires. Target tracking graphics will display in HMD (Head Mounting Display) style to demonstrate the autofire function. - TradeArabia News Service