Six Flags Entertainment Corp. and Samsung Electronics America Inc. have developed a broad marketing partnership which appoints Samsung as the official technology partner of the theme park.
The partnership includes the debut of what the partners are calling North America’s first virtual reality roller coasters, using Samsung Gear VR, powered by Oculus, coming to nine Six Flags parks in the country, including Queensbury.
“In partnership with Samsung, Six Flags is taking its signature brand of thrills to the next level and beyond in fully immersive, virtual riding experiences using Samsung Gear VR,” Six Flags officials said in a news release.
Locally, it involves the Steamin’ Demon roller coaster being transferred into a New Revolution Virtual Reality Coaster.
Some of Six Flags’ most popular coasters will be equipped to allow riders wearing SaHi Barbara, Sammsung Gear VR headsets to feel the effects of loops and powerful twists and turns as gyros, accelerometers and proximity sensors synchronize all of the action in a realistic 360-degree virtual reality world.
“This remarkable technology is a definite game-changer for theme park rides and represents everything our brand stands for–delivering the most thrilling and innovative rides and attractions in the world,” said John Duffey, Six Flags president and CEO.
“What makes this partnership so compelling for consumers and the broader tech industry alike is that both companies are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and bringing a VR coaster to life is certainly a new and thrilling proposition,” said Marc Mathieu, chief marketing officer at Samsung Electronics America.
“Now, people can be immersed into a totally new universe while riding a roller coaster, powered by Samsung Gear VR virtual reality devices. This transforms the modern roller coaster into a totally new, one-of-a-kind sensorial experience, powered by technology. We are excited to work with the premiere brand in theme parks to bring Samsung’s VR technology to nine Six Flags locations across the U.S.”
Samsung Gear VR–designed to accelerate virtual reality into the mainstream–provides an untethered, fully-immersive experience with 360-degree content for an extremely high quality mobile VR experience.
Officials said that riders will see other aircraft in an underground secret bunker. As the aircraft moves to a landing pad, it begins to launch its thruster engines, lifting the craft straight up through the roof. During the ascent, riders can test fire weapons using the interactive gameplay technology As riders clear the roof, they will “realize they are on top of a skyscraper and about to launch off the edge of the building diving straight down on the first drop of the ride.”
The aircraft races through the city until reaching the edge of the skyline where riders see the mother ship hovering above. The mother ship is heavily protected by drones and the mission is to get past the drones, fire on the mother ship and destroy it.