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Thorpe Park 2017: DBGT: Rise of The Demon

Earlier today Merlin Magic Making released some images of Derren Brown's Ghost Train including the building and screenshots from the VR headsets.

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I don't know what to say really, the VR screenshots are not what I was expecting at all. It looks very computerised and modern which to me is surprising since everything up to now had led to it being a Victorian themed attraction. As for the ghost in the bottom left photo, it looks more like something you'd see in a zombie-shooting arcade game than a multi-million pound attraction. Not really doing it for me I'm afraid.
 
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Just a quick note from the team... I've edited airalgenon's post above to remove the 'leaked' image of the Derren Brown VR.

Thorpe have asked us kindly that we don't spoil the surprise of the attraction for them by publicly posting the VR images. We have decided to oblige (as we did earlier on in the ride's campaign) as they have been pleasant and co-operative with us in return. The image itself is fairly easy to find if you're really that interested in viewing it - but can we please refrain from actually posting it on the forums.

Thank you! :)
 
Just a quick note from the team... I've edited airalgenon's post above to remove the 'leaked' image of the Derren Brown VR.

Thorpe have asked us kindly that we don't spoil the surprise of the attraction for them by publicly posting the VR images. We have decided to oblige (as we did earlier on in the ride's campaign) as they have been pleasant and co-operative with us in return. The image itself is fairly easy to find if you're really that interested in viewing it - but can we please refrain from actually posting it on the forums.

Thank you! :)

Sorry I didn't realise it was a leaked image, I just saw it pop up on Facebook and thought it had been released.
 
Sorry I didn't realise it was a leaked image, I just saw it pop up on Facebook and thought it had been released.
It's not leaked in the usual sense - but in reality it's only been made available to those watching the shareholders/investors presentation. Whilst most people related to theme park forums and fansites will probably end up seeing it, we've agreed to comply with Thorpe's polite request that we don't spoil the surprise in public :)
 
I just saw the pic uh-oh

Seconded.

To be honest, I am glad I saw it.

It's tapered my expectations somewhat. Perhaps it will be better (definitely can't judge till experienced of course), but what I had in mind, and what I just saw there....

They're about as far away as you can get.

Definitely was a "spoiler" - but not in terms of ruining a surprise....
 
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Just a quick note from the team... I've edited airalgenon's post above to remove the 'leaked' image of the Derren Brown VR.

Thorpe have asked us kindly that we don't spoil the surprise of the attraction for them by publicly posting the VR images. We have decided to oblige (as we did earlier on in the ride's campaign) as they have been pleasant and co-operative with us in return.

I appreciate the reasons for this happening in the past. Sorry team, but this time you've made the wrong call. You should save the right to censor posts for times when it's actually worthwhile and justifiable (and ideally for one of the primary parks we support).

The images in question are available from Merlin online if you look in the right place (HINT: it's the investor strategy update presentation) and even other forums are linking to it.

Since posting the images themselves here seems to be taboo, please find below a written description of the censored slide.

The slide shows four images in a grid.

TOP LEFT image:
We are looking through a VR lens (complete with viginette border) and some Fallout-like HUD at the bottom of the screen. We are sat on an Underground train. In the centre of the screen, a man wearing a beige jacket and a black wool hat is cowered over towards us, making eye contact. He has scuffle marks on his face. On the remaining seats opposite us, other people are wearing black gas masks (likely VR headsets).

TOP RIGHT image:
We're looking down an old street in London. There's some 70s and modern-looking buildings in the background, including the Gherkin. In the foreground, smoke is pouring from the street, and cars are being scattered around as though the road is collapsing.

BOTTOM RIGHT image:
The same street scene, but the smoke has become a fiery explosion. Debris has been blown into the air, and the explosion is moving closer towards us.

BOTTOM LEFT image:
A horrific creature has burst from the wreckage of the explosion. It looks similar to a Feral Ghoul from Fallout, but of a much bigger size. Its arms span each side of the street, and it's screaming out towards us.
 
For me, unlike what I've seen of air, which having viewed it I think may actually work OK in context - potentially even be enjoyable (vomit aside) - this attraction required realism IMO.

If you're expecting that, from what I've seen of those slides, you're going to be VERY disappointed.

Resident Evil, when it first came out, was incredible - the "jump scene" etc - amazing for its day.

I'm afraid this just reminds me of that.

I RESERVE JUDGMENT of course, BUT, given how it was explained before - a kind of hybrid experience whilst in VR, based ONLY upon those slides admittedly, it wont be that at all.

I hope I'm wrong. I REALLY HOPE I AM WRONG, because if not, for 30 million quid, I am going to wonder where the heck that money has gone...
 
A few snaps from opening weekend - only 60% of the building may be themed (the rest a red tin shed), but the quality of what they have done is pretty impressive.

2016mar16construction9.jpg


There's a particularly nice entrance.

2016mar16construction8.jpg


And I spy a badly-hidden train...

2016mar16construction13.jpg


Plenty more photos online at Total Thorpe Park!
 
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The shed annoys me so much when everything else is of a good quality building wise...

It's not like the shed isn't clearly visible either... Frustrating but sums up Merlin, always half-arsed projects...
 
The shed annoys me so much when everything else is of a good quality building wise...

It's not like the shed isn't clearly visible either... Frustrating but sums up Merlin, always half-arsed projects...

and this is why most Disney parks have rides along the outside edge, so the tin shed part is outside the edge of the park. Same goes for Duel at AT. Thorpe is stuck because it was never designed to be a park like this, the lake on the outside should have been more of a focus so there is no way for them to hide buildings on the outskirts of the park.
 
Given the high cost of the project could they have not spent an extra £1-2m to have the whole building themed on the exterior. The theming looks great on the one side, but the exposed warehouse around the rest really ruins the effect.
 
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