GEARS OF WAR : EVASION
2019 Author's Note: Thinking back - I actually kind of hate this name. Gears of War is all about being a muscle bound, bad-ass, aggressive soldier, shooting, stomping and chainsawing everything in your way. The word 'Evasion' goes against everything that this franchise stands for. (I love hindsight!)
'The Locust Horde cannot be stopped...'
Video games by their very nature are immersive. The level of detail that can be presented to the player is incredible and not something that can be easily achieved in film or television. Yet despite this, video games have not been adapted into the world of real themed attractions in massive numbers apart from a few examples (Last year’s Silent Hill house at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights is a recent example that jumps to mind). This line of thought led to me thinking about which video games could work successfully as themed attractions.
One example of a video game franchise that is capable of giving the player ‘ride face’ (that daft open mouthed smile that you don’t realize you are wearing whilst on a rollercoaster) is the Gears of War franchise by Epic Games. Big guns, big vehicles, horrifying monsters and intense battles. |
Now I’m fully aware that Gears of War is not every ones cup of tea, and for that reason probably would struggle to be picked up by a theme park company to accommodate a vast target demographic that you would aim to cater for in a theme park. I also highly doubt that a major theme park would build an e-ticket ride with the word 'WAR' in the title. While I won’t try to convince people otherwise, I just wanted to go through the process of ‘pick an IP I like and dream up a ride'. Design for fun basically (for me anyway). And just another excuse to practice sketching/writing and tackling design issues.
If you have already taken a look at my ‘Salvation’ designs, you will already know that I love the idea of putting guests into the roles of characters in an attraction. The trouble with Gears of War is that most of the characters are overly muscled testosterone overdosed soldiers, so I had to pick a story that could allow the action to happen all around guests whilst still allowing the guest to feel a part of the story. So I visited a time period in the franchises story called ‘Operation Lifeboat’ which consisted of ‘stranded’ civilians being recruited by the COG (Coalition of Ordered Governments) army to fight against the Locust Horde in exchange for shelter and food. I feel this provides a perfect backstory/set up to the attraction, but also an idea for the ride itself to take place during the guests ‘extraction’ to safety, whilst (like any good ride) running into a whole lot of trouble along the way…
If you have already taken a look at my ‘Salvation’ designs, you will already know that I love the idea of putting guests into the roles of characters in an attraction. The trouble with Gears of War is that most of the characters are overly muscled testosterone overdosed soldiers, so I had to pick a story that could allow the action to happen all around guests whilst still allowing the guest to feel a part of the story. So I visited a time period in the franchises story called ‘Operation Lifeboat’ which consisted of ‘stranded’ civilians being recruited by the COG (Coalition of Ordered Governments) army to fight against the Locust Horde in exchange for shelter and food. I feel this provides a perfect backstory/set up to the attraction, but also an idea for the ride itself to take place during the guests ‘extraction’ to safety, whilst (like any good ride) running into a whole lot of trouble along the way…
The Ride System
Gears of War: Evasion would exist as an immersive indoor dark ride, through intense action scenes with impressive effects at every turn. The ride vehicle takes inspiration from Disney’s Enhanced Motion Vehicle (or EMV) seen in attractions such as ‘The Indiana Jones Adventure’ at Disneyland or ‘Dinosaur’ at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. A track based vehicle with excellent axel motion allowing the vehicle to tilt in all directions. The ride vehicle for this attraction would not have to be quite as advanced as this, however but would need to have tilting motion capabilities and a means to simulate a bumpy road or turbulence.
The vehicle would be designed as a ‘Junker’ – a troop transport vehicle seen in the Gears of War series, but with modified seating to accompany 12 guests (3 rows of 4). |
In order to make guests feel that they are actually a part of the War against the locust and not just a passive viewer, there would be a Soldier on the back of the vehicle manning a ‘Troika’ machine gun who would ‘fire’ back at the Locust enemies throughout the ride. Due to the design of the costume that a standard COG soldier wears in the Gears of War series (heavy body armour and a face concealing helmet, the ‘soldier’ could either be an actor assigned to each vehicle with a set spiel, or an animatronic who is constantly fixed holding the gun. Only limited movements would be required from the animatronic itself with a 180 degree rotation capability for ‘firing’ the machine gun in different directions. So we wouldn’t require WDI standard robotics here which would be massively expensive. Scripted Show control methods could synchronise the soldier to the action in different stages of the ride.
The Queue
The Queue/First Segment of the attraction would consist of a walkthrough through a Stranded. There is an immediate sense of decay and desperation in the environment and props, lighting and sound would all contribute to this. Guests would walk past rats being cooked on a BBQ, makeshift shelters made of corrugated rusty iron give an impression of the existences that the inhabitants of this camp lead. The sense of story begins to take shape as guests pass an old TV leant on an old haggard couch. The TV is somehow miraculously working. It is here where the preshow video is playing to set up the story. Propaganda posters from the COG would also be present around the environment. The video is COG propaganda, encouraging guests to sign up for the ‘Operation Lifeboat’ where they will be offered supposed shelter and safety. The only catch – enlistment.
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Guests will be have to become Gears and fight against the Locust Horde. A segment of the script heard in the video:
"Citizens of Sera, the Coalition of Ordered Governments is here to help.
When the locust horde emerged from their underground Hollow, they slaughtered billions. Men, women and even children, no one was spared by their blood lust. It’s been 9 years since Emergence Day. Since the peace of our planet was shattered. We have been at War ever since. No longer must you live in the gutter, scrambling around in the shadows of our common enemy. The Coalition of Ordered Governments is here for you. We can offer you food, clothing and a safe haven from the Locust Horde. All that we require is that if you serve your race by enlisting as a soldier of the COG. Gears fight for freedom, for your family, for our very existence on this planet. Enlist today and you can be a part of the fighting force that will restore peace to Sera. |
To take Operation Lifeboat assistance, meet our Gears at Styx crossing and you will be transported to the safety of Jacinto in a Junker transport
Gears fight for freedom. The COG fights for you."
Gears fight for freedom. The COG fights for you."
Guests will also pass the remains of what used to be an old TV store. Again, one or two of the TV are still working and continue to play the video setting up the ride. Guests would then enter the load area where they would be loaded onto their ‘Junker’ troop carrier by COG soldiers with promises of safety and food.
The Ride Experience
Guests reach the loading bay and are loaded on to the Junker by cast members dressed as Gears. The Junker sits 3 rows of four guests. An animatronic Gear soldier is behind the last row mounted on a large minigun. Limited movement at this point breathes life into the animatronic figure that will be accompanying guests throughout the ride.
On board sound in the vehicle introduces characters to the female ‘driver’ of the vehicle. Delantes: “Welcome aboard conscripts. I hope you have all your valuables, we have to get everyone out of here ASAP, this place will belong to the Horde real soon. My name is Sargeant Delantes and that tumor hanging off the back of the vehicle is Pvt. Farlan.” Farlan: ”Cute. We got a short ride to Wrightman base. Sit tight and we’ll be there in no time.” |
The vehicle begins to move through the wrecked street, a cat is heard screeching amongst some rubble.
Delantes: “Sounds like our air support is here. King Raven 67 this is Limur 1, leaving the stranded outpost and am Oscar Mike to “Wrightman, confirm path ahead is clear?”
A helicopter is heard above the vehicle and a large spot light moves across the room from the top simulating a helicopter passing by close overhead.
KR Pilot: “Confirmed Limur 1, looks like a clear run from up here, but we do have reports of Locust activity in the area, stay sharp”.
Farlan ”Fine by me, looking forward to introducing them to my new toy”.
The barrels on Farlan’s large minigun spin.
Delantes:”We’re heading down through the old tunnels, will continue on a North bearing”.
KR Pilot:”Confirmed Limur 1, you’re on your own down there, see you on the other side.”
The vehicle moves down into what looks like an old garage. Pipes line the walls and ceiling, it is quiet down here save for the dripping of a few pipes. A projection up ahead of the vehicle shows the shadow of two creatures moving around. They appear to spot the vehicle and move away.
Farlan: “Looks like we got Wretches, stay vertical people”.
The vehicle continues through the seen, pipes hiss to give startles to guests seated towards the side of the vehicles. A snarling can be heard ahead. It doesn’t take long before guests see the source of the sound. A wretch is above the vehicle looking down on guests through a grate. The animatronic wretch rattles the cage and ‘drools’ down on the vehicle.
Farlan: “Look out! Damn thing drooled all over me!”
The vehicle heads up out of the tunnel back onto a street into the next scene. The physical scenery of a devastated city surrounds the vehicle. An old restaurant long since destroyed still shows a faint glow of light from within.
Delantes: “Sounds like our air support is here. King Raven 67 this is Limur 1, leaving the stranded outpost and am Oscar Mike to “Wrightman, confirm path ahead is clear?”
A helicopter is heard above the vehicle and a large spot light moves across the room from the top simulating a helicopter passing by close overhead.
KR Pilot: “Confirmed Limur 1, looks like a clear run from up here, but we do have reports of Locust activity in the area, stay sharp”.
Farlan ”Fine by me, looking forward to introducing them to my new toy”.
The barrels on Farlan’s large minigun spin.
Delantes:”We’re heading down through the old tunnels, will continue on a North bearing”.
KR Pilot:”Confirmed Limur 1, you’re on your own down there, see you on the other side.”
The vehicle moves down into what looks like an old garage. Pipes line the walls and ceiling, it is quiet down here save for the dripping of a few pipes. A projection up ahead of the vehicle shows the shadow of two creatures moving around. They appear to spot the vehicle and move away.
Farlan: “Looks like we got Wretches, stay vertical people”.
The vehicle continues through the seen, pipes hiss to give startles to guests seated towards the side of the vehicles. A snarling can be heard ahead. It doesn’t take long before guests see the source of the sound. A wretch is above the vehicle looking down on guests through a grate. The animatronic wretch rattles the cage and ‘drools’ down on the vehicle.
Farlan: “Look out! Damn thing drooled all over me!”
The vehicle heads up out of the tunnel back onto a street into the next scene. The physical scenery of a devastated city surrounds the vehicle. An old restaurant long since destroyed still shows a faint glow of light from within.
Farlan: “I went on my first date to that restaurant”.
Delantes: “Hard to believe that we had normal lives before all this”. Farlan:”We might again someday…” The vehicle moves through the room. Whilst physical set surrounds the vehicle, the sky is actually a projector screen above the buildings, blending perfectly with the physical scenery below to give the impression of being outside. Delantes:”KR67 this is Limur 1, we are back out in the open, do you have a visual? Over” KR Pilot: “We see you Limur 1, welcome back to the great outdoors”. |
The King Raven helicopter then appears in-front of guests in the form of a projection. The raven turns and hovers facing the vehicle.
KR Pilot:”Keep heading east along Herald’s Pass and…CONTACT!”
Three Nemacyt mortars come into view on the projection screen from the left. The King Raven turns to engage, opening fire with its miniguns on the creatures. The gunner manages to hit the first two but the third strikes the chopper with a mighty explosion. The chopper begins to spin out of control smoking as it decends.
KR Pilot:”Mayday, Mayday, this is KR 67 we are going down, I repeat we are”
His words soon turn to screams as the chopper falls behind the physical buildings out of sight of the guests. The vehicle begins to move forward as a large explosion heard from where the chopper went down. The vehicle turns as it passes a dark tunnel on it’s left. The sounds of the crashed King Raven can still be heard and seem to be getting louder, suddenly the front of the wrecked chopper emerges from the tunnel, sliding towards guests as sparks fly. The wreckage comes to a halt just before hitting the vehicle, which turns to the right and moves away from the devastiation.
Delantes:”Control, this is Limur 1, KR67 is down on Herald’s Pass, requesting immediate assistance.”
A female voice replies: “Negative Limur 1, Pilots are likely KIA, you have Locust in your immediate area closing in, your priority is those civilians, get them to safety, that is an order!”
Delantes: “Dammit!”
KR Pilot:”Keep heading east along Herald’s Pass and…CONTACT!”
Three Nemacyt mortars come into view on the projection screen from the left. The King Raven turns to engage, opening fire with its miniguns on the creatures. The gunner manages to hit the first two but the third strikes the chopper with a mighty explosion. The chopper begins to spin out of control smoking as it decends.
KR Pilot:”Mayday, Mayday, this is KR 67 we are going down, I repeat we are”
His words soon turn to screams as the chopper falls behind the physical buildings out of sight of the guests. The vehicle begins to move forward as a large explosion heard from where the chopper went down. The vehicle turns as it passes a dark tunnel on it’s left. The sounds of the crashed King Raven can still be heard and seem to be getting louder, suddenly the front of the wrecked chopper emerges from the tunnel, sliding towards guests as sparks fly. The wreckage comes to a halt just before hitting the vehicle, which turns to the right and moves away from the devastiation.
Delantes:”Control, this is Limur 1, KR67 is down on Herald’s Pass, requesting immediate assistance.”
A female voice replies: “Negative Limur 1, Pilots are likely KIA, you have Locust in your immediate area closing in, your priority is those civilians, get them to safety, that is an order!”
Delantes: “Dammit!”
The vehicle moves into the next scene. More wrecked streets, a crimson omen logo is spray painted onto a bullet riddled wall. The vehicle suddenly stutters and grinds to a slow halt.
Delantes:”Oh you gotta be kidding me.” Farlan: “Ah the Junker, military hardware at it’s finest! Uh…we’re a little exposed here Sarge…” Delantes: “Can it Farlan, I’m working on it.” A low rumble is heard as the vehicle slightly vibrates, indicating that something is moving below ground. Farlan: “Bad vibrations, that sound is never good!” |
The low rumble reaches a crescendo to the left of the vehicle as a small patch of ground begins to smoke, the ground cracks and raises a little before dropping down to create an emergence hole. A deep growl is heard
“DIE GROUNDWALKER!”
Farlan: ”We got a grub hole! Sarge we need to leave, NOW!”
Two animatronic Locust Drones begin to slowly rise from the hole, shrouded slightly by a mist blast of LN2. They begin to fire their Hammerburst rifles at the vehicle.
Delantes:”Working on it Farlan, just buy me a few seconds”.
Farlan: “Gladly”
Farlan pivots his minigun towards the grub hole and opens fire, a loud burst of fire erupts from his weapon as well as an impressive muzzle flash.
Farlan: “How’s that taste?!”
Delantes: “Alright I got it, we are leaving!”
The vehicle jumps into action and progresses down the street.
Delantes: “Control this is Lemur one, we have locust contact, authorised route is compromised and we are without air support please advise.”
Control: “Copy , lemur one, continue on a northbound bearing, past the gas station and into the parking garage, you’ll be able to come right out the other side”
Farlan: “Back underground, swell idea”
“DIE GROUNDWALKER!”
Farlan: ”We got a grub hole! Sarge we need to leave, NOW!”
Two animatronic Locust Drones begin to slowly rise from the hole, shrouded slightly by a mist blast of LN2. They begin to fire their Hammerburst rifles at the vehicle.
Delantes:”Working on it Farlan, just buy me a few seconds”.
Farlan: “Gladly”
Farlan pivots his minigun towards the grub hole and opens fire, a loud burst of fire erupts from his weapon as well as an impressive muzzle flash.
Farlan: “How’s that taste?!”
Delantes: “Alright I got it, we are leaving!”
The vehicle jumps into action and progresses down the street.
Delantes: “Control this is Lemur one, we have locust contact, authorised route is compromised and we are without air support please advise.”
Control: “Copy , lemur one, continue on a northbound bearing, past the gas station and into the parking garage, you’ll be able to come right out the other side”
Farlan: “Back underground, swell idea”
The vehicle rounds a bend and the gas station comes into view on the left hand side with a raised sidewalk on the other side of the street lined with concrete slabs with a darkened tunnel behind.
Delantes: “Well there’s the gas station, looks like we’re right on…” A deep laugh is heard. Farlan: “BOOMER!" To the right heavy footsteps are heard first, we then see a large Boomer emerge from the darkness, he is carrying a large Boomshot grenade launcher. He stops and raises his weapon. It fires a grenade which shoots above the vehicle and hits the gas station on the other side, which erupts into a fireball. Farlan returns fire. |
Farlan: “Get us out of here Delantes!”
The Boomer laughs again as the vehicle moves down into the parking garage, another explosion is heard behind as the vehicle leaves the scene.
The vehicle progresses through the parking structure, wrecked cars lay scattered about making the environment a labrynth. We hear a voice over the radio.
COG Gear: “Lemur one this is Bravo 3, you have locust in the building, get those civvies out of there!”
Delantes:”Happy to oblige Bravo 3, thanks for the heads up!”
To the left Locust Drones emerge firing weapons from the left of the vehicle as the vehicle reaches the exit the vehicle passes a COG soldier engaged in a chainsaw duel with a locust drone. Sparks fly as the two struggle against each other. As the vehicle leaves we hear the sound of flesh being torn. Confirmation of the winner comes in the form of the voice of the COG soldier who says: “What a lovely mess!”
Delantes: “That was too close, thanks for the assist Bravo 3. Control, how are we doing?”
Control: “You’re almost home Delantes, keep heading down this street and hang a right.”
The road ahead is blocked by a bus. Locust heads emerge in the windows and open fire.
Farlan:”Don’t think that’s an option Sarge!”
Delantes: ”Noted Farlan, keep them off us!”
Farlan: ”Thought you’d never ask!”
The Boomer laughs again as the vehicle moves down into the parking garage, another explosion is heard behind as the vehicle leaves the scene.
The vehicle progresses through the parking structure, wrecked cars lay scattered about making the environment a labrynth. We hear a voice over the radio.
COG Gear: “Lemur one this is Bravo 3, you have locust in the building, get those civvies out of there!”
Delantes:”Happy to oblige Bravo 3, thanks for the heads up!”
To the left Locust Drones emerge firing weapons from the left of the vehicle as the vehicle reaches the exit the vehicle passes a COG soldier engaged in a chainsaw duel with a locust drone. Sparks fly as the two struggle against each other. As the vehicle leaves we hear the sound of flesh being torn. Confirmation of the winner comes in the form of the voice of the COG soldier who says: “What a lovely mess!”
Delantes: “That was too close, thanks for the assist Bravo 3. Control, how are we doing?”
Control: “You’re almost home Delantes, keep heading down this street and hang a right.”
The road ahead is blocked by a bus. Locust heads emerge in the windows and open fire.
Farlan:”Don’t think that’s an option Sarge!”
Delantes: ”Noted Farlan, keep them off us!”
Farlan: ”Thought you’d never ask!”
Farlan opens fire at the bus as the turns right into another industrial looking building. The area is very dark with just a few blue lights on the vehicle and Farlan’s helmet and armor illuminating the way.
Farlan:”Out of the frying pan anyone?” Delantes: “What’s the matter scared of the dark?” The vehicle comes to a stop in a dark room. Delantes: “There’s something blocking the way up ahead, you see anything?” Some strange lights are seen above the front of the vehicle. They begin to sway and move in a strange manor. Farlan hit’s the lights. Which reveal the giant face and legs of a corpser. Farlan:”CORPSER!!” Farlan opens fire as the corpse shrieks and raises its legs, sending them crashing down. Delantes:” Control, we have a corpse in the vicinity! We need a hammer of dawn strike on our position immediately!!” Control:”Affirmative Lemur one, Hammer of Dawn is online, get out of the area, firing in 7, 6, 5…” Farlan: "Let's book Sarge" |
Delantes: “You’re preaching to the choir!”
The vehicle moves forward underneath the huge corpse as Farlan fires, causing the Corpser to shriek. The vehicle passes underneath just as the corpse strikes with it’s giant crablike legs, just missing the vehicle.
Control: “4, 3,2,1”
A bright light is shone from behind the vehicle as the Hammer of Dawn strikes. The shrieking of the Corpser is accompanied by a heat blast from behind the guests’ seats. A smell of burned flesh is also blasted from in front of guests seats to simulate the charred Corpser.
Farlan:“ Sarge, uh…can we go home now.”
Delantes:” That’s a big yes Farlan, we made it”.
The vehicle passes a barricade with a bullet ridden sign marked “Wrightman Base” Scrawled in graffiti underneath someone has written “welcome to the meat grinder!”
Delantes:“Here we are folks, you can expect more days like that ahead, you’re a part of our army now. But get yourself some food and rest first, your tour starts tomorrow. Welcome to the COG.”
The vehicle reaches the unload station marking the end of the ride. Guests leave the vehicle and Exit through retail, themed as a COG military base, Ammo crates stacked around, Propaganda posters and medical supplies everywhere. An audio soundtrack plays radio transmissions from various squads out in the field. Keen eyed fans of the series will notice the voice of Colonel Hoffman and Augustus ‘Cole Train’ Cole.
The vehicle moves forward underneath the huge corpse as Farlan fires, causing the Corpser to shriek. The vehicle passes underneath just as the corpse strikes with it’s giant crablike legs, just missing the vehicle.
Control: “4, 3,2,1”
A bright light is shone from behind the vehicle as the Hammer of Dawn strikes. The shrieking of the Corpser is accompanied by a heat blast from behind the guests’ seats. A smell of burned flesh is also blasted from in front of guests seats to simulate the charred Corpser.
Farlan:“ Sarge, uh…can we go home now.”
Delantes:” That’s a big yes Farlan, we made it”.
The vehicle passes a barricade with a bullet ridden sign marked “Wrightman Base” Scrawled in graffiti underneath someone has written “welcome to the meat grinder!”
Delantes:“Here we are folks, you can expect more days like that ahead, you’re a part of our army now. But get yourself some food and rest first, your tour starts tomorrow. Welcome to the COG.”
The vehicle reaches the unload station marking the end of the ride. Guests leave the vehicle and Exit through retail, themed as a COG military base, Ammo crates stacked around, Propaganda posters and medical supplies everywhere. An audio soundtrack plays radio transmissions from various squads out in the field. Keen eyed fans of the series will notice the voice of Colonel Hoffman and Augustus ‘Cole Train’ Cole.
CAD ModelS
ENGINEERING & Show Control
Facilities Design
Gears of War Evasion would have a pretty big footprint and so would have to be either accommodated in a larger ride building in a theme park or have a new building built from scratch. The former would obviously be a cheaper option as construction of a ride building can be the most expensive part of a theme park ride’s budget. Civil and mechanical engineering need to ensure the building follows all safety regulations and provides access to ride maintenance engineers to almost every aspect of the ride, physical scenery or otherwise to minimise down time. Riggings for audio and lighting equipment would need to be installed in accessible areas of the ride building as well as projection equipment for the ‘Raven Down’ scene. As one or two scenes take place below ground level (the tunnel scene and parking garage), this would need to be considered in the ‘ground breaking’ phase of construction to allow the vehicle to descend slightly below ground. The alternative is to go ‘Revenge of the Mummy’ and have the ride built above ground anyway, although due to the nature of the ride and intense scenery this probably wouldn’t work.
Art Direction
Gears of War is well known for being gritty, gory yet gorgeous. The environment is that of a world which has been at war for around 9 years. Crumbling walls, graffiti, bullet holes and poverty must be evident everywhere in the ride. The costumes of cast members and of the ‘Farlan’ animatronic positioned on the rear of each ride vehicle will resemble the well known heavy armor of Gears of War, complete with blue glowing lights. The locust animatronics would also be faithful to their video game counterparts. Lighting, props, audio and scenery must all work together to hold the desired effect of immersing guests into the gritty world of the Gears of War video game series.
RIde Control Engineering
Due to the complex nature of the attraction with the various animatronic and physical effects that need to interact with each other, the ride would need to be controlled with a mixture of both Real Time and Scripted show control methods. Real time would be best suited for the many animatronic figures that appear throughout the attraction which would be done using EBU European timecode, or SMPTE if the ride were built in the United States. As PCs tend to be a pretty unpopular choice for controlling a complex ride due to their unreliability Gears of War: Evasion would be best controlled by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). Heavy synchronization between animatronic figures, on board and environmental audio and physical and lighting effects to ensure all work together seamlessly for maximum immersion. Keeping system failures to a minimum for this ride would be no mean feat. Regular cycle testing would be a good method for ensuring that failures are detectable and of multiple points. Block zones would be implemented for the vehicles to ensure that no more than one vehicle are in any ride scene at any one time. This would also be helpful for the loading/unloading bays as well for maximum safety of guests when entering or exiting the ride vehicle. Other security staples such as break beams and CCTV will also help towards ensuring guests are completely safe and not misbehaving whilst experiencing the ride.
Audio / Video
The audio of the ride would come from both on vehicle speakers (for character voices and ‘radio talk’) and environmental speakers, for explosions, gunfire, locust voices and other environmental effects. The sound distribution would come in the form of either Stereo or 70 Volt audio distribution.
As well as environmental and story based effects, the emotional punch would also come from music. One of the main sources of on ride music would be taken from the official Gears of War Soundtrack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RoOarRix6Q .
As mentioned in the ride script, guests would exit through retail and would hear radio chatter of various squads out on the battlefield including characters such as Colonel Victor Hoffman and Private Augustus Cole, who would hopefully be voiced by their original voice actors for added authenticity.
For the exterior of the attraction music would be played to set the tone of the attraction including songs heard in the various trailers for the game series, songs would include:
- War Pigs – Black Sabbath
- Mad World – Gary Jules
- How it Ends – DeVotchka
- Into Dust – Mazzy Star
A queue video would be played in the ride queue to get guests caught up with the story for the ride. This would come in the form of a (sort of) broken television on a wrecked couch, or TV’s in an old store. For one of the major scenes in the attraction which simulates a King Raven helicopter crashing right by the ride vehicle, a clever use of Video projection and physical effects would be used. Above the physical scenery of buildings a large projection screen would be present which would show the helicopter in the sky, only to be hit by a Nemecyst mortar. The chopper would spin out of control and out of view, only to reappear next to the vehicle as a physical effect. The reliability and cost effectiveness of projection is very beneficial to the attraction. The only downside being the projector bulbs will need to be regularly replaced which can be very expensive.
As well as environmental and story based effects, the emotional punch would also come from music. One of the main sources of on ride music would be taken from the official Gears of War Soundtrack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RoOarRix6Q .
As mentioned in the ride script, guests would exit through retail and would hear radio chatter of various squads out on the battlefield including characters such as Colonel Victor Hoffman and Private Augustus Cole, who would hopefully be voiced by their original voice actors for added authenticity.
For the exterior of the attraction music would be played to set the tone of the attraction including songs heard in the various trailers for the game series, songs would include:
- War Pigs – Black Sabbath
- Mad World – Gary Jules
- How it Ends – DeVotchka
- Into Dust – Mazzy Star
A queue video would be played in the ride queue to get guests caught up with the story for the ride. This would come in the form of a (sort of) broken television on a wrecked couch, or TV’s in an old store. For one of the major scenes in the attraction which simulates a King Raven helicopter crashing right by the ride vehicle, a clever use of Video projection and physical effects would be used. Above the physical scenery of buildings a large projection screen would be present which would show the helicopter in the sky, only to be hit by a Nemecyst mortar. The chopper would spin out of control and out of view, only to reappear next to the vehicle as a physical effect. The reliability and cost effectiveness of projection is very beneficial to the attraction. The only downside being the projector bulbs will need to be regularly replaced which can be very expensive.
Lighting and Special Effects
Our lighting engineer would have a field day with this attraction. The dim lighting of the grim world would need to be represented, whilst also having lighting effects such as the passing helicopter search light at the beginning of the ride. Lighting would need to be themed in order to disguise it as a foreign object that would contradict story. The ‘Hammer of Dawn’ effect at the attractions finale would also be an intense beam of light which would pass over the ride vehicle and ‘strike’ the Corpser behind.
A strong marriage of physical engineering and special effects would make most of the ride scenes seem realistic and intense. For the Emergence Hole that the Locust emerge from, the floor would collapse inward and a use of fog and lighting would make the emergence of the animatronic creatures more dramatic. LN2 would be the best suited type of fog (over Water) as the space would be large enough to not cause harm to guests and can be instantly created without having to slowly build up.
For the ‘Boomer Sequence’ where the creature fires a grenade which passes over the vehicle. A small pyrotechnic would fire across a line and pass over to the other side where the Petrol Station set would erupt into a ball of fire. All of these effects would of course need to be rigorously tested and maintained in order to keep safety of guests to a maximum level.
A strong marriage of physical engineering and special effects would make most of the ride scenes seem realistic and intense. For the Emergence Hole that the Locust emerge from, the floor would collapse inward and a use of fog and lighting would make the emergence of the animatronic creatures more dramatic. LN2 would be the best suited type of fog (over Water) as the space would be large enough to not cause harm to guests and can be instantly created without having to slowly build up.
For the ‘Boomer Sequence’ where the creature fires a grenade which passes over the vehicle. A small pyrotechnic would fire across a line and pass over to the other side where the Petrol Station set would erupt into a ball of fire. All of these effects would of course need to be rigorously tested and maintained in order to keep safety of guests to a maximum level.
Gears of War, characters and 'crimson omen' logo are property of Epic Games.
Adobe Fireworks Images and Sketches copyright Jonathan Bonner 2013
Adobe Fireworks Images and Sketches copyright Jonathan Bonner 2013