January 21, 20169 yr comment_226832 And after what people said in regards to it slowing Europa down (the most efficient ride hosts), I dread to think how it's going to affect Air, which sometimes was dreadfully slow in the first place...
January 21, 20169 yr comment_226833 It'll certainly be interesting to see how it affects the general wait time / time between dispatches.
January 21, 20169 yr comment_226834 Wonder if they'll have a clean set ready for next train and then clean the used ones between cycles, so 2 sets of headsets (1 in use and 1 being cleaned).
January 21, 20169 yr comment_226836 I'd think that would be the only realistic option, to have multiple sets. If they did have to clean the same headsets for each ride cycle it would either take forever or they would end up doing a rushed 'clean' to speed up time, meaning they would still end up in a pretty disgusting state.
January 21, 20169 yr comment_226838 By all accounts the headsets will be hard wired to the carriage to stop forgetful people like me walking off with them, so nope, don't think they'll have multiple sets per train running, plus there are only 32 wireless channels available unless you front up a very large amount of money, so doubt they'll be wireless either (that doesn't even consider the lag, battery and cross talk issues independent wireless units would have). Either that or they'll hand you a baby wipe in the staging area...
January 21, 20169 yr comment_226840 I believe it was mentioned in an article (which I cannot find now) that the parts of the headsets that go against your skin were made of a special fabric which meant that things like sweat and moisture wouldn't affect the riders' comfort in any way? My guess for the way it will work is that there will be 3 collections of headsets per train. One collection being used on ride, one collection given to people in the pre-show area and one collection being cleaned. This gives an approx. 3 minute window for 28 headsets to be cleaned. The headsets seem to connect and lock to an additional bit of the restraint, which will keep them secure, but also ensure each headset has sufficient charge for the ride. Of course, that all sounds very labour intensive, and will require a large about of headsets (that'd be 84 headsets for one train alone, so you'd be looking at 168 for two, and then you also want spares in case some break). But it's the best way I can see to ensure that the headsets are cleaned, checked to see that they are working, kept safe on ride and minimise damage to throughput.
January 21, 20169 yr comment_226841 The headsets we use for FPV flying (which are mostly DIY hacked together modified VR sets since nobody can afford £300 for a set of fatsharks) have foam around the areas that touch the skin, this foam doesn't like moisture at all and if it gets too wet you have to tear it off and apply more. I'd suspect they'll use hardenend off fabric on the ride making cleaning easier, I still think it'll be best to take a small pack of baby wipes with you.
January 21, 20169 yr comment_226849 If it were my problem to solve I'd be handing out little disposable covers, so you have a hard foam bit fixed to the headset to make the seal, and an elasticated sleeve or face wrap made from something like waxed paper for each person to use. They've shown with the 4D cinemas they are fine with the cost of disposable over washable.
January 28, 20169 yr comment_227224 This was posted via Alton Towers' Instagram today... Umm, so who's excited for 2017's attraction then?!
February 2, 20169 yr comment_227418 Looks uncomfortable to hold too. I'll give it a go though when I next go to the park in May but I doubt I'll use it repeatably.
February 2, 20169 yr comment_227426 How stable do people think these will be? I only ask because riding a rollercoaster with a brick loosely attached to your face doesn't seem like such an optimal VR experience after that photo.
February 2, 20169 yr comment_227462 Looks like a nightmare if you're claustrophobic too! I think that too, it looks like you have something going around your neck?!
February 2, 20169 yr comment_227464 They were testing VR on air last closed season I'm lead to believe so it may have been a concept rather than the actual finished product
February 8, 20169 yr comment_227765 Graphics look meh. Gameplay looks meh. And I'm beginning to think Galactica will be meh.
February 8, 20169 yr comment_227766 The only thing that won't be meh about the new ride will be the soundtrack. Because IMA score are making it.
February 8, 20169 yr comment_227768 But will it be better than the original Air soundtrack? One of the last best Tussauds tracks...
February 8, 20169 yr comment_227769 Adore the Air track. Would be great if elements of it are encorperated into the new score.
February 8, 20169 yr comment_227771 Been playing the game, it's quite fun and you can win prizes. There's also an option to scan something (not unlocked yet), maybe could be something you scan at the ride.
February 8, 20169 yr comment_227772 The game is actually available now (on Android at least); search "Galactica Alton" and it should come up. Unfortunately, it's not as good as the likes of Smiler and Oblivion Black Hole games, or indeed as good as games of a similar type. Nonetheless, it is at least nice to see marketing material like this. A completely free game, with no adverts, which gives regular opportunities to win prizes. A good thing in my books.
February 8, 20169 yr comment_227797 What baffles me is people are saying how this VR stuff is revolutionising the theme park ride but pretty sure it's just a more extreme simulator lol. Is anyone else not that enthusiastic about this whole VR drivel taking over and excusing rides for lack of theming?
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