The premise of this is to take real theme parks (Disney World, Disney Land, Busch Gardens, etc.) and have them recreated in a virtual environment down to the smallest detail. Every food stand is up for business, every ride is rideable, and every tree and bush is there. You can configure a group of people to represent your family and/or friends, set money level able to be spent, even decide on time of year.

There are several factors to consider, such as you and your family's limits on walking ability, hunger, favorite rides/attractions, and the level at which you can handle overly scary and extreme rides. This allows for realism in the form of having to take breaks to eat/rest, debates on what rides to visit next, etc.In addition, time of day, weather, and time of year will play a part. I personally think standing in long lines is also a big part of the experience, and would personally want to have it be available as an option that could be toggled on and off.

You're probably saying that a virtual roller coaster isn't nearly as fun as a real one. You're right. But at the same time, some games such as Sim Theme Park and the upcoming Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 feature this option, and it's still fun (I've played it). Given the right 3D modeling, sound, and environment, any ride can be duplicated to a decent level.

I'm not saying this will be quite the same as the real thing. Nothing can come close to a day at one of the amusement parks. But if the atmosphere and environment are designed in the right hands, I think this could be a top seller.
-- Pocketassreturn, May 02 2004

The Straight Dope: “Did Disney's The Lion King rip off an old Japanese TV series?” http://www.straight...assics/a991224.html
The animation team says “no,” but a lot of people think otherwise. [bristolz, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

One person who says “Yes,” for example. http://www.kimbawlion.com/16_ce.htm
And does so in strong language. [bristolz, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

I like this. Mainly because I hate the real things. (the parks in FL anyway) Except rollercoasters. And six flags in CA.
-- CaptainWes, May 02 2004


Puts on "Tigger" suit...
-- thumbwax, May 02 2004


You mention "Sim Theme Park," but I am not clear on how what you are describing is different than that program. Is it just the level of detail?
-- krelnik, May 02 2004


KRELNIK - First of all, Sim Theme Park has graphics that are in 3D, and the characters are designed very cartoonishly. In addition, the characters appear 3D but are actually 2D and animated to look 3D. It's not very good. In addition, the game I'm describing recreates these parks exactly, down to the smallest detail. If you see a flower planted in the game, you can go to the real park and actually see the flower there. That's how detailed it is. Sim Theme Park only allows you to create your own park, and a limited and childish one at that, so any chance of recreating a real theme park is gone.
-- Pocketassreturn, May 03 2004


You'll need to update the shrubbery and whatnot a coupla timesa year.
-- yabba do yabba dabba, May 03 2004


Just had to bone this one. I hope the reasons are obvious.
-- juanmanandez, Jun 09 2004


If you could work out a tie-in with the park owners, then when a person visits the real park they could be offered various tracking devices which, if they accept them, would note their position at all times and record all sorts of details about their visit. Then this could be downloaded to a file which could later be imported by the visitor to customise their copy of "virtual thingy" allowing them to recreate their visit in your virtual simulation.
-- dobtabulous, Jun 09 2004



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