THE WORLDS OF AVATAR
Creating a location-based attraction to engage guests from physical and virtual worlds in a connected experience
Guests in a theme park, visitors in a pop-up space, and virtual players located around the world will join together on an adventurous journey in the universe of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Teaming up with one of the Four Nations (Water, Air, Earth, Fire), participants will travel across Physical and Spirit Worlds, discovering diverse peoples, cultures, and magical powers.
Their mission is to maintain harmony among the nations by defeating the Fire Nation — or even serving its ambitious army to conquer territories.
CLIENT
Thesis for the degree of
MFA Themed Entertainment Design, School of Creative Technology, SCAD
DATE
2023
LOCATION
Savannah, US
STAGE
Blue Sky & Concept
MY ROLES
Research
Experience Design
Graphic Design
SOFTWARE
Illustrator
Indesign
Photoshop
Attractions
Themed Parks
XR Experiences
Studying Location-based attractions, Virtual worlds, Immersive Experiences and Metaverse
Defining my project goal
Guest experience and visuals
Studying Location-based attractions, Virtual worlds, Immersive Experiences and Metaverse
Design Process
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Research
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Design goal
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IP
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Big idea
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Development
Attractions
In the three locations (theme parks, pop-up space, and virtual platform), there are two types of attractions: exclusive and connected.
Exclusive attractions are those that are only available in one of the locations. For example, live shows can only be experienced by theme park guests.
Connected attractions are those that happen in at least two locations at the same time. For example, The Art of Bending is an attraction that requires the participation of theme park guests and virtual players synchronously.
As the objective of my work is to engage guests from physical and virtual worlds in a connected experience, I focused my work on developing the connected attractions (The Art of Bending, Spiritual Oasis: the portal to the Spirit World, and Tui & La: The Moon and Ocean Battle).
The Art of Bending
Each nation has its training center, where Masters employ a variety of training exercises to prepare their pupils in mastering their bending arts (water, earth, or air) to defeat the Fire Nation.
In this interactive class, you will manipulate one of the four physical elements through the motions of hands and feet and be surprised by your unknown magical abilities.
Theme park and Virtual platform
Rhythm-based action game: designed to teach and reward participants with some of the bending moves, inspired by martial arts
To become a bender, you are required to participate in The Art of Bending. So this is a must-stop if you want to find the special powers that sleep inside of you.
At the entrance of the training center, you will check in by scanning your wristband. Then, you will be directed to one of the rooms, where you will meet your Master [a virtual player].
You will have 10 minutes to learn four movements from your Master to conquer the mission. Watch how he grandly moves his arms and legs and replicate the movements — it is like an art; it takes practice. But it will certainly be very satisfying when you perform correctly and then manipulate the natural elements.
D-ticket attraction
10 minutes
Spiritual Oasis: A Portal To The Spirit World
Cross into the Spirit World, a parallel plane of reality that coexists alongside the Physical World.
You will meet various paranormal and supernatural entities that often embody different aspects of life and nature to bring peace or chaos to the world.
Theme park and Pop-up space
Walkthrough attraction with immersive and interactive rooms
C-ticket attraction
Free exploration
Technologies
Wristbend, projection, audio-animatronic with artificial intelligence, sound effects, lighting effects, hologram, smart props, real-time tracking projection-mapping system
Real-time tracking projection-mapping system, remote control system
Tui & La: The Ocean & Moon Battle
Take part in the most epic battle ever by joining Chief Arnook’s forces to defend the Northern Water Tribe. Remember that more fighting for survival, you can define the future of Humanity.
Theme park, Virtual platform and Pop-up space
Motion-based competition attraction
E-ticket attraction
5 minutes