The Virtual Reality and Simulation Technology of Battle For Eire
Greetings Lasses and Lads,
Here’s another behind-the-scenes update from Battle For Eire™ - Action VR Ride, the one-of-a-kind virtual reality attraction coming to Busch Gardens® Williamsburg in spring 2018.
I slipped behind the curtain to get an up-close look at the new ride’s progress. If you haven’t had the chance, please take a moment to read my first blog entry in September and second entry in October so you can catch up. Things are moving fast.
I have some exciting news to share in this entry, including details about the state-of-the-art technology that will make this attraction unlike anything you’ve ever ridden. I also uncovered images of the finished character designs. You’re not going to want to miss this, so please read on.
A Peek at the Virtual Reality Headsets
Like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, the designers of Battle For Eire hit the jackpot with a headset design that is convenient to use and easy to maintain.
Riders will put on an adjustable head mount and fit it to their liking before boarding the motion simulator. The virtual reality headsets are tethered to the motion simulator seats, and will connect to the head mounts via a strong magnet that will seal the two together. Ride designers are still finalizing the design of the head mount and flow, but are focused on ensuring a speedy boarding process and making sure the head mounts are cleaned before each use.
“This installation at Busch Gardens Williamsburg has one of the easiest to use headsets that we’ve seen in the industry,” said Erik Baeumlisberger, project manager for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.
“We’ve arrived on a best-in-class, very novel solution for how riders wear the headset,” Baeumlisberger added.
The combination of a motion-based theater simulator and 360-degree virtual reality headsets makes this a one-of-a-kind attraction in the amusement park industry. Busch Gardens Williamsburg guests are in for an immersive experience that raises the bar in virtual reality.
Meet the Film’s Stars
I’ve included some phenomenal images of the attraction’s main characters.
Before today, everything you’ve seen has been conceptual artwork, but these are the first images of true characters. Please take note of the detail work.
Addie
![Help Addie and Ollie on their adventure to save the Magic of Ireland](/williamsburg/-/media/migrated-media/busch-gardens-williamsburg/blogs/2017/battle-for-eire-chapter-3/addie-ollie-heroes.jpg)
Balor
![Meet Balor, Battle For Eire's main villain](/williamsburg/-/media/migrated-media/busch-gardens-williamsburg/blogs/2017/battle-for-eire-chapter-3/balor-main-villain.jpg)
Ollie
![Meet Ollie, Battle For Eire's hero sidekick](/williamsburg/-/media/migrated-media/busch-gardens-williamsburg/blogs/2017/battle-for-eire-chapter-3/ollie-dragon-hero-sidekick.jpg)
Sluagh
![Meet Sluagh, Battle For Eire's villainous minions](/williamsburg/-/media/migrated-media/busch-gardens-williamsburg/blogs/2017/battle-for-eire-chapter-3/sluagh-villain-minion.jpg)
Addie, Ollie & Sluagh
![Be right there with the heroes and villains of Battle For Eire](/williamsburg/-/media/migrated-media/busch-gardens-williamsburg/blogs/2017/battle-for-eire-chapter-3/heroes-villains-battle-for-eire.jpg)
Check back next month for another behind-the-scenes report for Battle For Eire. I’ll have more to share in the future as we get closer to the ride’s spring opening.