Published in Park World Magazine, 2024 August issue
Creating Unforgettable Experiences to Share with Families and Friends
Dark rides have long been a cornerstone of the amusement park experience, captivating guests with narrative-driven, immersive experiences that go beyond mere thrill rides to transport them into fantastical worlds and adventures. Over time, these rides have evolved significantly, embracing new technologies and storytelling techniques to meet the growing expectations of park visitors. This evolution has allowed dark rides to appeal to a broader audience, making them ideal for parks serving multi-generational families. Unlike high-thrill attractions, dark rides derive their excitement from the quality of storytelling and guest engagement, making them accessible and enjoyable for all generations within a family.
Crafting Successful Interactive Stories
Perhaps best known for its shooting technology, Alterface specializes in developing advanced interactive solutions not only for dark rides but also for a wide range of other attractions, including walkthroughs, theaters, and custom experiences. If a designer or operator imagines an immersive environment, Alterface has developed or will fashion a solution to bring that venue to life. “We focus on experiences that transform guests into participants.” says Alterface CEO Stephane Battaille. “We emphasize family and group participation while keeping technology invisible. In any other era, what we do would be considered magic, and we hope it feels that way to our visitors today.”
To illustrate our approach, consider some of the many dark rides we’ve developed, such as Popcorn Revenge at Walibi Belgium and Basilisk at Legendia in Poland, as well as those where we’ve contributed our interactive technology, like Ani-Mayhem at Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi and Justice League: Battle for Metropolis at multiple Six Flags parks. Each of these attractions highlights how interactive features can amplify emotional engagement and enhance the overall experience.
The Invisible Art of Interactive Design
Designing a new ride involves countless considerations, from ensuring high throughput and durability to creating experiences that are engaging for repeat visitors. Interactivity plays a crucial role, with Alterface focusing on creating intuitive and accessible designs that appeal to a global audience. “Achieving the perfect balance between technology and emotional impact is our goal,” says Battaille. “We stay true to the client’s narrative while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with interactive technology.” A compelling dark ride is a multidisciplinary endeavor. Alterface’s multi-skilled approach ensures that every element—the ride system, media, theming, light, sound, special effects and story—works harmoniously and contributes to the experience.
A Glimpse into the Future of Interactivity
For over 20 years, Alterface has seamlessly blended technology and creativity to deliver interactive experiences once thought impossible. The future promises even deeper and richer immersive experiences across theme parks, museums, aquariums, and beyond.
Join us at IAAPA Europe in Amsterdam this September, where Alterface will be exhibiting at #11403, Hall 11. We’re excited to unveil our latest projects and products, including our new interactive dark ride, “The Enchanted Greenhouse”, created in partnership with Jora Vision and ETF Ride Systems.
Looking ahead to November, we will also showcase a variety of interactive gameplay experiences at IAAPA Expo 2024 in Orlando. Come see firsthand our latest innovations in interactive design and discuss all things interactive with our team.