Aqua Nova
From Sega Retro
| |||||
| Aqua Nova | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| System(s): Medium-scale attraction | |||||
| Publisher: Sega | |||||
| Developer: Sega, Digital Universe[1] | |||||
| Genre: Simulation, Shoot-em-up | |||||
| Number of players: 1-8 | |||||
|
This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.
Aqua Nova (アクアノーバ) is a medium-sized attraction designed by Sega for its theme park venues. Players don stereoscopic 3D glasses and sit in moving, tilting seats to watch a six minute long interactive CGI ridefilm on a large movie screen. The ride simulates a futuristic submarine voyage to an undersea colony, which is suddenly attacked by a sea monster. Aqua Nova's eight seats each feature a control panel allowing players to "shoot" the monster and change the ending of the film.
Contents
Plot
Set in the future, Aqua Nova begins as a leisurely submarine tour of an experimental city located deep beneath the seas of a distant planet. A comical robotic sea turtle, "Ada," serves as the riders' tour guide and narrator. The calm atmosphere is broken when a monstrous giant squid suddenly appears and begins destroying the city, sending the players' submarine tumbling through collapsing tunnels and scaffolding.[2] When the giant squid appears, players are encouraged to use the control panel mounted in front of their seats to shoot at the beast. Depending on how well the players accomplish this, Aqua Nova presents one of sixteen possible ending scenes, ranging from the complete destruction of the city to an explosive defeat of the squid.[2]
History
Development
In 1995, Sega's Tokyo headquarters contracted Los Angeles animation studio Digital Universe to create the CGI film for Aqua Nova. Director Art Durinski led a six person team of modelers and animators to complete the project.[3]
Concept renders of Ada, by modeler Ricardo Jabardo.
Locations
Aqua Nova made its first appearance at Fukoka Joypolis in upon opening in April 1996[4], and was installed at numerous amusement theme parks opened by Sega into the mid 2000s. Most of these venues are no longer operational, and the ones remaining have largely replaced Aqua Nova with more recent attractions. It is unknown if any Aqua Nova units remain in operation today. The following parks featured Aqua Nova:
- Fukuoka Joypolis
- Tokyo Joypolis
- SegaWorld London
- Shinjuku Joypolis
- Sega World Sydney
- GameWorks Rio de Janeiro
- Sega Players Arena Shanghai
Magazine articles
- Main article: Aqua Nova/Magazine articles.
Artwork
Logo
Screenshots
Screenshot of the ride's opening scene.
Ada, the robotic guide.
The giant squid attacks the submarine.
Photo gallery
Aqua Nova exterior at Sega World Sydney.
References
- ↑ htt (Wayback Machine: 2004-06-10 03:24)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.sega.co.jp/sega/atp/atc/aquanova.html (Wayback Machine: 2000-08-20 12:05)
- ↑ http://www.artdurinski.com/#!__moving-images/specialty--museums
- ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-06 (1996-04-12)" (JP; 1996-03-22), page 60