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This article was first published in the May 2016 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
They make some people vomit, but delight and exhilarate others - not roller coasters, but virtual-reality headsets. Now brace yourself for both at the same time. This summer, Thorpe Park is launching Ghost Train, a new haunted-house ride designed by Derren Brown<sup>1</sup>, which largely takes place through HTC Vive VR headsets.
The alternate-reality integration isn't just for thrill-seeking: Ghost Train's branching apocalypse narrative is designed to give every viewer a different experience. Ghost Train isn't the only one: in April, Alton Towers is launching Galactinauts, a space-based VR ride, and Disney's upcoming Star Wars land in California will include VR elements. And Salt Lake City-based startup The Void<sup>2</sup> is building an entire theme park of custom-built VR experiences.
The convergence makes sense: VR adds a level of creative immersion that far surpasses a rickety old haunted house or log flume. Theme parks also address one of VR's biggest requirements - space. The best Vive experiences, for example, require a large play area and custom control inputs for maximum impact. And, with startups such as Birdly building physical rides<sup>3</sup> - complete with wind machines, massive moving rigs and even smells - physical space is going to be just as important as the virtual.
There are still hurdles - Galactinauts will limit head movements to combat nausea (we'd advise a paper bag at the ready). All the more reason to go to the one place people actually queue to get queasy. \1. "There will be other rides like this in future, because people will see how much you can play with the format," Brown tells WIRED \2. The Utah-based startup's VR rides will cost $34 (£24) a pop, and use a proprietary headset and a haptic feedback vest. Its sets are 5.5m<sup>2</sup>, and will feature simulated wind and rain. \3. Birdly's setup may look awkward, but it allows you to flap your arms as if they're wings, and your flight path changes to match
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
