Lagotronics Projects, the media-based attractions specialist, is celebrating the opening of Ghostly Manor at Paultons Park in Hampshire, UK.
The ride, launched on 17 May, is already receiving recognition as one of the most ambitious dark ride experiences in the UK and combines advanced storytelling and gameplay in a compact format.
In a first for the sector, the ride introduces the ‘S’ size layout of the innovative Gameplay Theater concept, reimagining the park’s former 4D cinema into an exciting new attraction. Ghostly Manor was developed in a creative and technical partnership between Lagotronics Projects, Mack Rides, Leisure Expert Group, and Themics Philippines.
Richly detailed environment
Paultons Park, a leading family theme park, features more than 80 rides and attractions, and Ghostly Manor brings a new layer that caters to adults as well as children.
With an exterior that references the historic Paultons Manor, which formerly stood on the site, the ride establishes a sense of place and continuity, connecting the park’s past to its forward-facing vision.
“Behind the chilling façade of Ghostly Manor lies over a year of intensive creative development,” says a spokesperson from Lagotronics Projects. “Led by Leisure Expert Group, the concept evolved from early sketches and storyboards into fully realised scene layouts that balance cinematic ambition with architectural constraints.
“Working within the compact footprint of the existing building posed unique design challenges, but the team’s innovative approach brought Dr. Kinley’s mysterious manor to life with rich detail and immersive storytelling.”
Dr. Kinley, the central character, is brought to life visually using high-quality 3D modelling and animation by Rival Animation. The statue at the front of the attraction, as well as the in-ride information screens, feature the work of the full-service animation agency. Rival also created the graphic content for the interactive screens used throughout the experience, which helps to strengthen the immersive narrative.
Themics Philippines managed set realisation and turned concept art into evocative, richly layered environments that firmly anchor each scene within the narrative.
Additionally, the park’s in-house teams crafted many of the theming details. The Gardens and Estates department designed and landscaped the garden at the entrance, and the Engineering team was vital to the delivery and installation of bespoke scenic components props, and infrastructure.
The Gameplay Theater
Mack Rides and Lagotronics Projects have created The Gameplay Theater, an innovative dark ride format featuring continually rotating vehicles. Each carries eight passengers back-to-back with interactive devices, moving between the 180 degree scenes to unveil new worlds with every turn.
Lagotronics Projects develops “attractions where players become part of the story, where every shot counts, and where gameplay enhances immersion”, and this ride reflects extensive development into game-based experiences.
This technology enables high visitor throughput in a small footprint while maintaining a seamless integration of media-based storytelling, interactive gameplay, and themed physical sets. The revolving ride vehicle keeps the action at the forefront, engaging visitors in an effectively planned series of scenes that feel more like a stage play than a dark ride.
The small version of the system, with a diameter of 16.3 metres, has a capacity of 40 guests and a throughput of approximately 498 guests per hour. The medium version, at 25.8 metres diameter, can accommodate 96 players and approximately 894 guests per hour, while the large, at 33.2 metres diameter, has a capacity of 144 players and approximately 1224 guests per hour.
“One of the defining strengths of the Gameplay Theater is its modular design, allowing it to be adapted for different venues and guest capacities,” says Lagotronics Projects.
“Ghostly Manor, built in the footprint of Paultons Park’s former 4D cinema, makes efficient use of the Small layout, giving the park a high-capacity indoor attraction without the need for major expansion.”
‘Rich storytelling, engaging gameplay, & memorable moments’
Players earn points by using bespoke “Phantom Phasers” devices to capture ghosts across eight scenes.
The ride’s media-integrated scenes are presented in a unique configuration. Three outer “gameplay scenes” use high-resolution projection on 10.2 metre x 2.6 metre screens to produce vibrant, cinematic settings where players face ghosts and animated special effects.
Furthermore, five inner scenes feature integrated projections and embedded screens within interactive themed physical sets, blurring the boundary between traditional set design and responsive digital gameplay.
Lagotronics Projects was responsible for the technical pipeline and developed the complete game system for Ghostly Manor, including gameplay logic, hit detection, scoring, and synchronised show control for lighting, audio, and visual effects.
“Ghostly Manor not only shows what’s possible when ride technology, storytelling, and interactive gaming come together,” says the company. “It also provides a model for attractions that prioritize capacity, guest engagement, and creative flexibility.
“Ghostly Manor demonstrates just how versatile the Gameplay Theater format can be: adapting seamlessly to different stories, audiences, and spatial constraints. By bringing this innovative ride system to a compact setting, it shows that interactive dark rides don’t have to compromise on immersion or excitement. Instead, they can deliver rich storytelling, engaging gameplay, and memorable moments for guests of all ages.”
Recently, Lagotronics Projects provided interactive and audiovisual technologies for The Chocolate Factory in Veghel, the Netherlands. The edutainment centre opened on 21 February, and turned a 30-metre-high former factory into an innovative journey showcasing the magic of chocolate.
