SANTA CLARA, CA — 3D Live, a developer of stereoscopic 3D LED technology (http://3dliveevents.com), helped debut the new 4D amusement park experience "Mass Effect: New Earth" at California's Great America amusement park in Santa Clara. 3D Live collaborated with BioWare (a studio of Electronic Arts) and Cedar Fair (parent company of California's Great America) to create an experience that allows park guests to directly participate in the universe of the critically acclaimed game franchise.
Guests will travel through space to a distant planet, face off against bigger than life adversaries and ultimately help save the day. Mass Effect is an award-winning science fiction role-playing video game series that has been met with critical acclaim globally. Fans and critics alike have lauded the game for its rich tapestry of story, character development and action. The new attraction is the culmination of close collaboration between the 3D Live team, BioWare and California's Great America.
Unlike the projected 3D typically used in a movie theater or standard 4D attraction, 3D Live's stereoscopic LED panels send polarized light straight to the viewer's vision instead of bouncing it off a silver screen. This produces a more impactful 3D effect with brighter colors and truer blacks than projection.
"Our technology forgoes the traditional projection model for an LED screen that is more modular, allowing it to be used in spaces much smaller than would be needed for a projector," explains Nathan Huber, chief executive officer for 3D Live. "This allows the performer or participants to directly interact with the visuals, without casting a shadow or having light hit the participant. The result is a much truer holographic experience."
The gaming world was a natural fit for 3D Live's new form of augmented reality where digital visuals can be blended with actors and other physical elements without the need for a headset. Harkening back to the early days of first-person shooters where players marveled at the experience of being right in the action on a small scale, 3D Live's technology is now making direct immersion in a gaming-based environment a reality.
"There's no truer sense of being part of the Mass Effect universe than being surrounded by the actors, ships and worlds," says Ryan Pardiero, chief operating officer for 3D Live. "Entertainment is converging quickly where the format of the media and the story being told have a direct impact on the user experience. Whether its gaming, live music events, theme parks or any exhibit, the team at 3D Live can create a custom environment that will leave the participants speechless."