Video games and Themed Entertainment

The themed entertainment industry has always been about creating immersive experiences that transport guests to a different world, and video games have proven to be a powerful tool in achieving this goal. The ability of video games to transport players into another world has translated well into the creation of theme park attractions, museum exhibits, and other entertainment experiences.

However, not all video game implementations have been successful in the themed entertainment industry. While some attractions have been praised for their innovation and ability to immerse guests in the game’s world, others have struggled to gain popularity due to poor execution, lack of theming, or outdated technology.

Successful Implementations:

1. The Void – Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire: The Void is a virtual reality (VR) experience that allows guests to enter the world of Star Wars and embark on a mission to retrieve important information for the Rebellion. The experience includes haptic feedback, environmental effects, and the ability to see and interact with other guests in real-time. The Void’s implementation of Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire has been a massive success, with its popularity leading to its expansion into additional locations.
   
2. Super Nintendo World – Mario Kart: Super Nintendo World is a themed land within Universal Studios Japan that immerses guests in the world of Nintendo games. One of its most popular attractions is the Mario Kart ride, which uses augmented reality (AR) technology to allow guests to compete in a real-life version of the popular racing game. The ride has been praised for its immersive theming and seamless integration of AR technology.
   
3. Disney California Adventure – Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout!: Previously known as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, this ride was rethemed to fit within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and features the characters and music from the Guardians of the Galaxy films. The ride has been well-received by guests and has proven to be a successful addition to Disney California Adventure.
   

Non-Successful Implementations:

1. Sega Joypolis: Sega Joypolis is an indoor theme park in Japan that focuses on Sega games and franchises. While the park has a variety of attractions, its reliance on arcade-style games and outdated technology has led to its decline in popularity. Many of the attractions are in need of refurbishment, and the park has struggled to compete with newer and more innovative theme parks.
   
2. GameWorks – RazerVR: GameWorks is an entertainment center that combines video games, food, and drinks. In 2016, the company partnered with Razer, a popular gaming accessory brand, to introduce RazerVR, a virtual reality experience that allowed guests to play games and experience VR content. However, the experience was criticized for being expensive and not offering enough variety in content. Additionally, the VR equipment was bulky and uncomfortable, leading to guests becoming frustrated with the experience. The lack of popularity of RazerVR contributed to GameWorks filing for bankruptcy in 2019.
   
3. Konami – Silent Hill: The Escape: Konami, the company behind the popular horror game franchise Silent Hill, created an attraction called Silent Hill: The Escape in 2012. The attraction was a walkthrough horror maze that was designed to immerse guests in the world of Silent Hill. However, the attraction was criticized for being too short and not offering enough scares or theming. Additionally, the attraction’s reliance on jump scares and cheap thrills left many guests feeling disappointed. Silent Hill: The Escape was ultimately shut down after only a few months of operation.
   

In conclusion, the use of video games in the themed entertainment industry can provide a unique and immersive experience for guests. However, the success of these implementations relies heavily on the execution and integration of technology and theming. As seen in the examples provided, attractions that have effectively used technology and theming to immerse guests in the game’s world have been successful, while those that have not have struggled to gain popularity.

The key takeaway from these successes and failures is that the integration of video games into themed entertainment must be approached with care and attention to detail. The industry must prioritize the use of cutting-edge technology and immersive theming to provide a truly unique experience for guests. As video games continue to evolve and new technologies emerge, there is no doubt that we will continue to see new and exciting implementations of video games in the themed entertainment industry.