Immotion, a global leader in immersive edutainment, has announced the launch of Gorilla Trek, a new live-action virtual reality experience that takes guests to the rainforests of Rwanda on a mission to study one of nature’s most intriguing yet endangered animals – the mountain gorilla.
Immotion is proud to partner on this project with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, the renowned gorilla conservation organisation. Tara Stoinski, CEO of the Fund, guides the mission, giving unprecedented access and stunning insights into seldom-seen gorilla behaviours.
Helmed by Immotion’s Emmy Award-winning team, it is understood to be the world’s first 360º VR motion-platform experience to showcase the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. “Creating this VR piece with Immotion was an amazing opportunity for us to transport people to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas close up and to understand the delicate balance that exists in our conservation efforts,” said Stoinski.
“To partner with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is a dream come true for us,” commented Rod Findley, Immotion’s President (Location-based Entertainment). “We are confident that, as we expand our immersive theatre offerings to zoos around the world, having this calibre of project with the conservation pedigree of the Fund and Dr. Stoinski, will allow us to reach even more zoos and more guests worldwide with our message of hope and conservation.”
Conservation is always at the heart of Immotion’s work, whether it be educating guests about humpback whales in the South Pacific, or tiger sharks in the Bahamas, or generating awareness about ocean pollution. But it is the magic combination of education and entertainment, that sets Immotion’s work apart. “Education is important,” said Findley, “But the engagement that you achieve when you lead the guests on a mission and tell them a compelling story is an order of greater magnitude.”
Immotion creates turn-key immersive experience centers and VR theatres for zoos, aquariums and other attractions. With installations ranging from 8-seat to 36-seat theatres, some including interactive pre-shows, Immotion offers this next-level attraction to partners with no up-front cost, and has over 55 partner locations around the world so far, from London to Las Vegas, Chicago to Sydney.
At IAAPA this week, Immotion premiered Gorilla Trek in its 8-seat VR theatre at Booth #1372, along with its other experiences Swimming with Humpbacks, Shark Dive and its thrill-ride, Tower Coaster.
Immotion gives back.
Immotion is not only placing one of its motion-platform systems at the DFGF’s new campus free of charge but has also, throughout the week of IAAPA, has been making a donation to the fund for every person who rides the experience at its booth.