Resorts World Genting gives Star Wars fans the opportunity to ‘star’ in the ‘movie’, writes Izwan Ismail

In any Star Wars movie, the scenes of Stormtroopers in a battle are always intense. Now, can you imagine yourself being one of the undercover Stormtroopers, fighting the Empire forces, as well as the mighty Lord Vader?

Now you can do so at Resorts World Genting’s new virtual reality (VR) experience called Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire at The VOID in Skytropolis Funland. The first of its kind in Asia, the 650.3 square metre hyper reality experience centre is the biggest out of North America and the first and biggest in Asia.

It features cutting-edge technology and world-class content. In the VR experience set, played in a group of four people, you will face battlions of Stormtroopers in a lava-filled environment in your effort to secure an important package from the Emperor’s facility.

HYPER REALITY

Compared with traditional location-based VR, The VOID hyper-reality experience brings a completely new immersive experience.

The VOID uses custom VR technology along with physical stages to create immersive experiences that inspire exploration and engagement.

Its proprietary designed equipment melds the physical and digital worlds through head-mounted displays (HMDs), backtop computers and haptic vests, allowing sensory effects to be felt from multiple points using haptic feedback that places visitors inside impossible worlds.

The event saw the attendance of Craig Watson, chairman and CEO of The VOID; John D. Watkins Jr, CEO for The VOID Asia; and Datuk Edward Holloway, executive vice president of Leisure and Hospitality of Resorts World Genting.

“Genting strives to partner with global leaders in their fields and when it comes to virtual reality, The VOID represents the success of technology in extending the frontiers of hyper reality. We are indeed honoured to be The VOID’s first location in their expansion plan in Asia,” said Holloway at the launch of The VOID recently.

GREAT LEAP

As for Resorts World Genting, this is a great leap forward in entertainment for the theme park and the company has invested an initial RM10 million to present this unparalleled level of immersion and interactivity to its visitors in Asia.

Meanwhile, Watson said that the partnership and collaboration with Resorts World Genting has provided many proud moments for the team at The VOID.

“We strive to bring The VOID’s acclaimed immersive hyper-reality experience to fans around the world.

Opening our very first centre in Asia at such an iconic location in Malaysia is a great start to our introduction to the region,” he said.

Over 200 special guests, including Star Wars fans, gathered for the grand opening. Laser palm pads shot up beams of light, a nod to the Star Wars universe.

Apart from the Star Wars experience, there is also another experience offered at The VOID — Ralph Breaks VR.

Watkins said The VOID’s hyper-reality experience centre can effortlessly switch between different titles to bring two of the most iconic experiences to guests.

THE VOID EXPERIENCES

Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire will take guests through a breathtaking journey where guests will feel the impact of blaster bolts, smell smoke from the surrounding environment, push buttons to solve an interactive puzzle to escape enemies, all the while coordinating directly with their unit in real time through the blended virtual and physical world.

Meanwhile, Ralph Breaks VR is an original hyper-reality experience created by ILMxLAB and The VOID in collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios, based on their latest hit film Ralph Breaks the Internet.

In Ralph Breaks VR, guests will sneak onto the internet disguised as netizens to play the newest, coolest video game ever.

Guests will shoot retro alien spaceships, squash pixel bugs, and fend off hordes of bunnies, and kitties in the Pancake Milkshake Diner while they team up with Ralph and Vanellope in the race against time to see who can rack up the highest score.

It’s all fun and games until an evil security system shows up and threatens to take everyone offline… permanently.

The VOID is now open to the public and tickets are available for pre-order at www.rwgenting.com.

Source: NST