Lagotronics Projects, the media-based attractions specialist, has revealed that it has collaborated with IMPS, the owner of the Smurfs IP, and Mack Rides to develop the Smurfs Gameplay Theater.
This groundbreaking interactive dark ride blends an endless ride system with cutting-edge interactive technology, and both decorative and immersive media scenes.
Family-friendly IP
IMPS and LAFIG Belgium are the official licensors of The Smurfs, and the continued success of these little blue creatures has been ensured by IMPS’ years of close cooperation with its agents around the globe.
They have worked to create successful licenced merchandising, retail and co-branded promotions, publishing initiatives, digital and video games, broadcasting agreements, theme parks, live performances, and family-friendly entertainment experiences.
Véronique Culliford, the daughter of Smurfs artist Pierre Culliford, also known as Peyo, leads IMPS. She has been running the firm since 1984, and manages the rights to the Smurfs characters and the Smurfs licensing globally with LAFIG Belgium.
IMPS works with numerous leading brands and retailers who recognise and value the brand’s legacy and qualities. Dirk Engelhardt, Mack Rides, and Tom Bouwens, Lagotronics Projects, comment: “With a brand awareness of 95% worldwide and its key values like family, high quality, fun and creativity it is the perfect IP to cooperate with and create family-friendly themed attractions like the Gameplay Theater.”
Interactive dark ride
The Smurfs Gameplay Theater is a dark ride that takes guests through a succession of scenes depicting popular Smurfs characters and their adventures. With each turn of its axis, the vehicle unveils a new universe to explore, creating an immersive and intriguing story-driven experience.
The Gameplay Theater provides an ideal balance of huge interactive media screens and story-driven scenarios complete with scenery, 3D objects, and unexpected SFX. Visitors may discover the multiple worlds themselves using Smurf-themed interactive devices. They can also collect points by striking targets in each scene and competing with their friends and family.
The ride concept has been developed by Mack Rides in partnership with Lagotronics Projects to incorporate interactivity. It has been designed for theme parks and FECs and aims to provide a fun and exciting ride which is combined with a high throughput, compact footprint, and low maintenance requirements. There are three variants available, S, M and L, with capacities ranging from 498 to 1224 passengers per hour.
With the use of cutting-edge technology, the Smurfs Gameplay Theater offers an outstanding experience complete with high-definition game material, show lighting, eye-catching audiovisual effects, special effects, and a superior sound system. This is delivered by an interactive system, media production, show equipment package, and show control from Lagotronics Projects, and a ride system and ride control from Mack Rides.
Last year, Lagotronics Projects announced the release of three new levels of theming and storytelling for the Battle Arena attraction.
