Since it's announcement, many have been wondering what to expect. Now, traditionally, VR experiences have been sit-down experiences that place you in an entirely digital world. What Knott's is adding is being labeled as "free-roaming". To me, this sound like laser tag with a Microsoft HoloLens-esque headset strapped on your head.
What is the Microsoft HoloLens? Its VR (virtual-reality) and AR (augmented reality) all mixed into one. What is augmented reality? You've probably used it before, in a phone app or video game camera based experience. Basically, its using a camera to capture reality and then virtually projecting something digital into that reality. HoloLense uses this by having a camera placed on the VR headset to show your everyday world and then project virtual experiences into it.
Let's also consider I'm wrong about the AR part and that there is no AR elements but its entirely VR (although I worry people would be much more likely to injure themselves in this scenario). This it totally possible too, as the camera would just be used for tracking in this case, so you don't run into any walls. Infact, there is a company called THE VOID that has already made a few of these experiences:
In both scenarios they're retrofitting the old Laser Tag to transport you to another world, placing markers on the wall that the headsets will recognize as creature / environment placement. This will create a much more immersive experience.
I expect this to have lower capacity than Laser Tag - with the added safety precautions walking with a headset on will bring - and I expect added maintenance costs to come with the headsets. Those factored together and it should hopefully become clear why this is an upcharge attraction (for those actually complaining). I just hope they make it Knott's themed and not some generic alien / monster shoot-em-up.
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