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XD Dark Ride: Move over 3D, 7D gaming is here

Ever wondered what would happen if you crossed a roller-coaster-esque ride with a shoot-’em-up 3D game?

If not and if you’re interested, head down to Magic Planet at The Mall of the Emirates and try out the new XD Dark Ride, the first 7D gaming experience that combines 3D movie graphics and 4D effects such as motion, wind and light — all rolled into one to give you that adrenalin jolt. The unique gaming technology — brought first into the GCC by Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment, a subsidiary of Majid Al Futtaim Ventures — will leave gamers “almost jumping out of their seats”, a senior official said.

“Everyone who’s tried out this game were really amazed; they’ve never seen something like this before,” Adham Badawy, senior marketing manager at Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment, told Khaleej Times during the exclusive media preview of the facility on Tuesday. The XD Dark Ride redefines

gaming by combining 3D graphics, state-of-the-art motion technology and multi-player gaming. At the moment there are four “movie” titles participants can choose from to play in — Forbidden Mine, Los Banditos, Pirates and Zombies — with much more coming.

The set-up is a miniature movie theatre where players are seated on motion-enabled seats that mimic the actual feel of what is going on in the movie they are in, such as falling off cliffs or climbing on a moving train. Players are equipped with a light gun that they must use to fight off and defeat in-game antagonists, scoring points in the process.

Photos of the participants are taken while playing, and they can have it printed once the game has finished. The player with the highest score will have his or her image displayed outside the theatre. The standard seating capacity is for eight, but there are larger versions that are 16- and 20-seaters.

Badawy declined to comment on how soon and where another XD Dark Ride will be set up, saying it is still “too early”, but said that the company will “definitely” spread the game gradually across Dubai, the UAE and wider region.

Asked on how much was put into this project, he said: “The investment we put in here is just second; foremost to us is for our guests to come and enjoy this one-of-a-kind game.”

Badawy said that anticipation for the XD Dark Ride was built through its online marketing campaign, and they were not surprised at the actual results.

“Look at their faces,” he said, pointing to the image gallery of the players who have tried the game. “They were really amazed.”

And for those who are interested to have this at home, Badawy said: “As long as you have a big house and have the cash to spare, I’d definitely recommend it.”

The XD Dark Ride officially opens to the general public today, and costs Dh20 a pop.

alvin@khaleejtimes.com