One of the most prominent trends in recent years in leisure, tourism and entertainment facilities is the integration of technology for immersive experiences, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). These are no longer science fiction concepts, but have become commonplace attractions in theme parks, shopping centres, trade fairs, events, family entertainment centres and other leisure facilities. Artificial intelligence (AI) has joined VR and AR to make immersive experiences more exciting and personalised.
Examples include escape rooms, concerts that take place in the metaverse, or gyms that combine exercise with gaming experiences. But there is also a particular trend in raising environmental awareness through these immersive technologies. One such application is the exploration of highly detailed virtual ecosystems.
With VR and AR applied to ecosystem exploration, we experience the feeling of being in the middle of nature, and learn about biodiversity and conservation. But we can also attend interactive simulations in order to take advantage of educational activities on sustainability, ecology and the environment. Or take part in environmental education workshops, with practical experiences that combine the physical and the virtual.
Attractions and activities for physical and mental well-being are also undergoing a transformation thanks to immersive technologies. Not only gyms, as mentioned above, but also spas are adopting VR systems to create personalised environments for, for example, exercise routines in virtual landscapes, whether in the peace of a mountain or in an exhilarating futuristic city.
Other leisure spaces, such as outdoor cinemas or urban squares, incorporate immersive projections and interactive shows. In this way, they provide experiences between the real and the virtual, activities that appeal to a novelty-seeking public. A tangible example of this type of new experience can be found in PortAventura World’s Hysteria in Boothill attraction.
Hysteria in Boothill uses mixed reality technology that combines physical and virtual elements in real time. Visitors interact with the real environment, while perceiving components of the virtual world through Meta Quest 3 space computing glasses. This fusion of reality and fiction produces intense emotions and it raises new leisure expectations among theme park audiences.
By Tianshu Liu, Senior Architect in Amusement Logic’s Architecture Dept.
