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South Korea doubles up, now getting two robot theme parks
Thrill seekers and robot admirers alike can mark South Korea down as a must-see destination in the coming years, as it will soon be home to not one, but two robot theme parks. Yeah, we already knew that one of these fantasmical places were on the planning block, but just today the Commerce Ministry "announced a proposal to build two parks by 2013 for $1.6 billion." Reportedly, each park will mesh culture and entertainment with robot technology, and while one will be built in Incheon, the other will be erected some 242 miles south of Seoul in the port city of Masan. A feasibility study slated for next year is apparently the only piece of red tape still holding this project back, but if the bigwigs in South Korea shut the whole thing down, we'll gladly take 'em here on this side of the lake.[Image courtesy of SciFi]
GUNDAM CRISIS attraction opens up, fanboys unite
Right on schedule, the GUNDAM CRISIS attraction at the Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park in Japan has opened its door for fanatics paying guests, and just as we expected, a whole slew of live photographs have made their way out. Fanboys (and girls) hoping that a great deal of care would be taken in its construction are likely to be pleased, as the 1:1 creation certainly bears a resemblance to the real deal. Without further ado, head on past the break for a few more shots, and tag the read link if you're looking for the whole roll.[Via Slashgear]
Full-size Gundam created for GUNDAM CRISIS attraction
While those of you who have the luxury of frequenting the Fuji-Q Highland Amusement Park in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi, Japan, we're sure a tear was shed when Gundam the Ride: A Baoa Qu was closed down just months ago. Thankfully, the successor is bigger, better, and almost ready to rock, as the GUNDAM CRISIS thrill ride prepares to envelope you in a Gundam hanger and elicit quite a few smiles. The actual Gundam will indeed be a 1:1 full scale rendition, meaning that it'll stretch to about 18-meters in height, and while we certainly wish you could strap it onto a rail and call it a roller coaster, this attraction looks to be one of those tamer "walk through types." Of course, that also means that there is no height or age requirement to see the ominous beast, and considering that it should shuffle its first guests through in July, you won't have to wait much longer to get your Gundam fix at Fuji-Q.[Via Impress]
Nintendo teams up with Six Flags
Theme park chain Six Flags announced today that the Nintendo Wii is now the "Official Gaming Console of Six Flags," meaning that the Wii will be available for free play at "Wii Gaming Stations" at "select Six Flags-branded theme parks" (which of Six Flags' 26 parks will get the Wii is unclear). In exchange, Nintendo will promote Six Flags through an upcoming contest on nintendo.com. The marketing deal seems to be, in part, an effort to lure in kids who would rather stay home and play video game than go to a theme park. "When this audience is not in our parks, more often than not they are at home playing video games -- and now they can do both in one place," Six Flags CEO Mark Shapiro said in the release. With the announcement, Nintendo joins companies like Cold Stone Creamery, Kodak and Home Depot in throwing thinly-veiled marketing messages at customers that paid good money just to ride some freaking roller coasters without being bombarded with ads and will you look at these lines I mean where do all these people come from seven dollars for a hamburger what am I made of money next year let's go to the beach. Sheesh! [Thanks awiifemale, Via Reuters]
KUKA Robotics and Primal Rides to release interactive amusement ride
There's nothing like wolfing down a delectable funnel cake, only to then strap yourself into a steel-framed contraption that lays down 2 Gs on your already-queasy stomach. Germany's KUKA Robotics is teaming up with Canada's own Primal Rides to unveil a new "fully interactive amusement ride" using the KUKA KR 500 robot as the "building block" of it all. The machine boasts a six-axis (not that SIXAXIS) robot with a 131-inch reach and capable of handling just over half a ton, all while throwing 2 Gs worth of force and countless smiles (or frowns, depending on the situation) on its riders. Apparently, the ride will hoist riders into a gunfight, where the intensity, speed, and variety of targets will increase as their scores skyrocket; additionally, KUKA claims that parks can "quickly and cost effectively change the theme and severity of the ride" by swapping out peripheral effects and robot programming sans the need for costly new nuts and bolts. While it's still unclear which theme parks have signed on for this robot-based thrill ride, we're sure EMMA, HOSPI, RI-MAN, and Quasi will be first in line to give it a whirl.[Via Robbit Gossip]
