The ultimate interactive Virtual Reality (VR) coaster experience, featuring Samsung Gear VR powered by Oculus, is coming to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom this fall as demonic creatures battle terrified riders 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.
“Six Flags is the leader in innovation and thrills, and we are excited to introduce the VR coaster experience to our guests at Discovery Kingdom,” said Don McCoy, park president. “In Rage of the Gargoyles, the experience is immersive and terrifying as riders shoot at the demons throughout the entire ride ? the perfect addition to our Fright Fest line-up.”
Among the thrilling highlights:
- High-definition imagery and storytelling that sync with the track configuration creating a one-of-a-kind “real world” to “virtual world” thrill-ride;
- For the first time ever on a rollercoaster, riders can engage in interactive gaming throughout the entire ride experience by shooting at flying demons; and
- Unique sophisticated head-movement targeting instantly locks on a moving target without the need for a touchpad or buttons to fire.
(See below the promo video from Sister park Six Flags Great America showing off the VR world).
The realistic theme puts the rider in the action similar to a video game experience. Riders are pilots seated in the cockpit of an Apache-style helicopter, flying through a devastated cityscape of a dark and dreary future as part of a fleet of choppers ready to battle winged creatures to the end. Both the pilot and their realistic foes are virtually engaged in a battle all while racing over the 2,170 feet of twisting, turning, looping coaster track.
The action starts quickly when riders ascend up the lift hill while realistic, blood-thirsty gargoyles terrorize them by scratching and clawing, jumping mercilessly atop the seemingly fragile glass barrier as the rider tries desperately to shoot their demonic targets. The epic conflict accelerates as riders are forced to navigate through the hazardous city streets, up and over broken-down skyscrapers while avoiding obstacles and lethal assaults from the gargoyles, all the while shooting to repel the demons. It is up to the pilot to attack the vicious master gargoyle, who is vehement on challenging anyone who crosses his path. There is a surprise ending that will be sure to leave riders shocked and amazed.
Kong will close after August and make its Virtual Reality debut with modified restraints and enhanced track work. Guests 13 and older may opt to ride with the VR headset or without, to enjoy Kong as a traditional coaster attraction. Fright Fest is Northern California’s biggest and scariest Halloween event as the park is completely transformed for thrills by day and fright by night, and features haunted mazes, scare zones and monstertainment.
Kong isn’t the only coaster in the chain receiving the new Rage of Gargoyles VR. The following other 7 rides are too:
- Demon at Six Flags Great America
- Skull Mountain at Six Flags Great Adventure
- Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas
- Dare Devil Dive at Six Flags Over Georgia
- Goliath at La Ronde
- Ninja at Six Flags St. Louis
- Steamin’ Demon at The Great Escape
We’re excited to see that the shooting aspect will work throughout the ride experience, not just the lift hill. New restraints and trackwork sound like a gift too, we all know that Kong can shake you up quite a bit!
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Will the be something like what Moreys Piers is doing, or will it be smaller? Also will it get a total repaint/retheme or will this be just a temporary layover? And finally is it just getting new restraints or all new cars?
The retracking will be similar to what Morey’s is doing. Vekoma has been doing this to a lot of their SLCs over recent years, I presume that’s the case now too. Looking at the short period of closure, I’m unsure how much retracking will actually be done though. The ride will not be repainted as far as we know now, which would make sense as it’s closed for just about 3 weeks. The trains remain, it seems, but the restraints will be different. Not much is known as to what the restraints will look like, we’re rooting for a new type of lap bars for the current trains, but truly it’s unknown at this time.
I was confused at first because I thought the VR Headsets would break because of the head-banging. 😛
Do you guys think the new trains will actually make for a smoother experience? I heard like in the case of Moreys Piers all the new trains did was remove the head banging but still created a rough ride.
Since it’s just new restraints, not trains, all we can hope for is that they are an appropriate headbang-free type of restraint that can be added to the current trains. We think it’ll still be somewhat rough, but it will definitely be an improvement.
I feel bad for Charles… This is gonna be a capacity nightmare… Crossing my fingers for vest restraints. Now that he also rebooted the theater I really how for something new in there cause it has so much potential now that it’s open and seems to be running consistently… Last time you went, what would you say the wait time for PR5D if any???
Hey California Coaster Kings can you make a 2017 Prediction Blog?