VR Roller Coaster ‘Galactica’ Gets Launch Video and Ride Stats

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UK theme park Alton Towers just launched their first virtual reality roller coaster, Galactica. We’ve got the launch trailer and some vital statistics for the ride.

As we reported, UK theme park Alton Towers is stepping into the virtual realm with their latest attraction Galactica, a new roller coaster which marries a traditional physical experience with virtual reality visuals, all in a face-down ride.

In a ground breaking move set to revolutionise the world of theme parks, Alton Towers Resort announces today it is launching a rollercoaster entirely dedicated to virtual reality, a sensational world first.

Here’s the launch video for the ride, which may include some clues as to what the in-ride visuals look like. In addition, we have some vital statistics for the ride itself, which gives you an idea of what to expect from the ride when it opens in April.

  • Total G-force: 3.5 G’s
  • Track length: 840 metres
  • Height of drop: 20 metres
  • Ride duration: 189 seconds
  • Maximum speed: 75km per hour
  • Capacity per car: 28 passengers
  • Capacity per hour: 1500 passengers

In a ground breaking move set to revolutionise the world of theme parks, Alton Towers Resort announces today it is launching a rollercoaster entirely dedicated to virtual reality, a sensational world first.

In a ground breaking move set to revolutionise the world of theme parks, Alton Towers Resort announces today it is launching a rollercoaster entirely dedicated to virtual reality, a sensational world first.

Speaking of the new attraction, Gill Riley, Marketing Director at Alton Towers Resort said: “Galactica uses ground breaking technology to give riders a breathtaking and completely unique rollercoaster experience. Tim Peake captured the imagination of millions of Brits last year when he set off on his mission to the International Space Station – and now our visitors can become astronauts too.

“There is nowhere else in the world that people can experience the feeling of a flying rollercoaster combined with soaring through the universe. For two minutes, our guests will be transported into space and we believe Galactica showcases the future for theme parks around the world – it’s a complete game changer!”

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Based in the UK, Paul has been immersed in interactive entertainment for the best part of 27 years and has followed advances in gaming with a passionate fervour. His obsession with graphical fidelity over the years has had him branded a ‘graphics whore’ (which he views as the highest compliment) more than once and he holds a particular candle for the dream of the ultimate immersive gaming experience. Having followed and been disappointed by the original VR explosion of the 90s, he then founded RiftVR.com to follow the new and exciting prospect of the rebirth of VR in products like the Oculus Rift. Paul joined forces with Ben to help build the new Road to VR in preparation for what he sees as VR’s coming of age over the next few years.
  • P. Pzwski

    Great! That’s the type of VR experience (with relatively small amount of HMDs) which can make VR popular. I’m also sure that virtual cinema should be available (room with 50 CV1 for example, next to traditional cinema) when people could come, watch a real VR movie and say – ‘yes, that’s the thing, I wanna have it in my home’.

    Of course – somebody has to invest in real VR movie – maybe animated – (not into short demo), but it could be a gold mine!

    • Foreign Devil

      I don’t think a movie theatre is going to want to promote VR. . advanced VR could be the killer of movie theatres, when we get the 3D imax experience at hom.

      • kalqlate

        Agreed! An IMAX-like home VR movie experience is a natural, and they will be coming from all over–Netflix, Amazon, etc. IMAX Corp is probably diligently at work trying to figure out how to create a ridiculously expensive IMAX VR app with exclusive, new-release titles.

  • MasterElwood

    So say we all

  • Andrew Jakobs

    Biggest problem with this to me is hygene.. and there’s nothing more annoying than a malfunctioning unit.. just like scratched glasses in a cinema..

    • MasterElwood

      If your VR unit is broken – just leave it off. It´s still a “normal” coaster…

      • Andrew Jakobs

        Yeah, but that’s not the point of this coaster, so you’ll definitly loose some of the experience..

        • MasterElwood

          Of course – but it´s not like a 3D movie where you get NOTHING out of the experience when the glass is broken.

          And i am sure when u show them your defect unit – they let you ride again. So you get 2 rides out of it ;-)