Pop Culture News

ALIEN: DESCENT — FoxNext Launches Location-Based Virtual Reality Experience!

Pure Imagination Studios and FoxNext Destinations will open ALIEN: DESCENT, a cutting-edge free-roaming virtual reality experience at The Outlets at Orange in Orange County on April 26. Additional locations will be announced soon. Tickets can be reserved now at AlienDescent.com.

Set in the ALIEN universe, guests join an elite squad of Colonial Marines sent to investigate a distress signal from a Weyland-Yutani mining outpost. Just before losing contact, the facility reported a mysterious infestation. It’s up to the guests and their squad to contain the threat, quarantine any survivors and get everyone to safety. While on the mission, guests move freely through the immersive space battling aliens, ranging from face-huggers to full-grown Xenomorphs.

ALIEN: DESCENT features a first-of-its-kind wireless technology developed by Pure Imagination Studios. The technology allows up to four guests to move about freely in VR, without the use of PC backpacks or wires. Each guest is armed with a custom-designed weapon and motion-tracking sensors on their arms and legs. Environmental effects, motion platforms and other surprises that simulate the descent into the heart of the Alien threat enhance the experience.

“ALIEN: DESCENT’s story-first approach is at the forefront of the location-based VR experiences that we’re rolling out. Our goal at Pure Imagination Studios has always been to push the boundaries of what’s possible — VR attractions are the perfect medium to do just that. Partnering with the forward-thinking team at FoxNext made for a potent combination of storytelling minds and innovative thinking to set a new benchmark for destination entertainment,” said Joshua Wexler, co-founder of Pure Imagination Studios.

“VR attractions bring together immersive entertainment with social experiences that can’t be replicated in the living room. The rich storytelling opportunities in the Alien universe makes it a perfect fit for cutting-edge destination entertainment. Plus, who doesn’t want to battle Xenomorphs and save the world?” said Salil Mehta, president of FoxNext.

“We’re thrilled to allow guests the freedom to experience and engage in VR without the need of a cumbersome backpack. The dream is to allow guests to fully immerse themselves, let loose, and have fun,” said Rob Taylor, co-creator of the experience from Pure Imagination Studios.

ALIEN: DESCENT opens April 26, ALIEN Day, at the Outlets at Orange. Tickets can be reserved at AlienDescent.com. The Outlets at Orange is located at the intersection of I-5 and State Highways 22 and 57 in Orange, California. More information can be found at simon.com/mall/the-outlets-at-orange.

ALIEN DAY returns on April 26, 2018 for an epic third annual global celebration of the iconic sci-fi franchise. ALIEN DAY is a nod to planet LV-426 from the landmark ALIEN film. For more information on all ALIEN DAY activities go to AlienUniverse.com.

About Pure Imagination Studios
Pure Imagination Studios is an award-winning independent entertainment studio that brings content and experiences to life across existing platforms while at the same time forging new ones. Through the combination of proprietary technology and groundbreaking storytelling the studio brings the next generation of entertainment to audiences of all ages across all platforms. Pure Imagination is led by an experienced group of storytellers, dreamers, doers, mad-scientists and experiential engineers who have designed, built, produced and worked with some of the most iconic brands in the world from clients including Warner Bros., FOX, DreamWorks, Marvel Entertainment, LEGO, Universal Studios, Merlin Entertainments, Six Flags and others. Their portfolio of projects have expanded fan engagement on multiple platforms including a diverse slate of animated television shows, cultural experiences, digital-series, theme park attractions, virtual and augmented reality immersive experiences, projection mapping shows and more. Pure Imagination Studios is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. Visit:  pistudios.com

About FoxNext
FoxNext expands the storytelling universes of our most cherished franchises at Twentieth Century Fox Film and Fox Networks Group through virtual reality, games and location-based entertainment. FoxNext pushes the boundaries by enabling the best creators and innovators to share their stories across an ever-growing spectrum of emerging platforms. The division consists of FoxNext Games, FoxNext VR Studio and FoxNext Destinations.

About FoxNext Destinations
FoxNext Destinations, a division of FoxNext, is developing themed entertainment destinations that immerse guests in the company’s iconic film and TV brands. Current projects include 2017 THEA winner Springfield, USA and 2009 THEA winner The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando, Alien: Descent, a free-roaming VR experience, and Avatar: Discover Pandora, a new interactive exhibition inspired by the breathtaking environments and inspirational cultures of Pandora. Other projects include FX’s American Horror Story at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights and the 20th Century Fox World theme park in Malaysia, currently in development.