Fiesta VR is made up of a log-in station and chair modules that are networked together.  The players put their money in the log-in station and are directed to a specific game chair.  Once all the players are logged in the game/show begins.  The players watch 3D Stereoscopic video and participate physically with their arms, voices, legs, and heads.  There are also sections in the game, which require the players to accomplish tasks with their input device.  Their success at these tasks is ranked by the computers and displayed.  The interest in the game is both in the show itself but more importantly in the people standing around watching the player’s actions.  Imagine a group of players waving their hands, laughing, and acting silly in front a group of people that can’t determine what is going on.  The desire to join in the fun is great and game play has a domino affect. 

The physical components of the Fiesta VR system are the log-in station and the seat.  At least one log-in station must be sold with a pair of seats.  Only one log- in station is required for any number of seats.  Whereas the limit to the number of seats is open, it is recommended that 20 would be enough for most venues.  Larger venues might desire risers or other support elements.

The log-in station looks like a standard arcade videogame cabinet.  Additional components are a keyboard, bill acceptor, and camera. 

The first operation of the log-in station is a teaser loop and character call out.  The title of the first program is called “Space Flight” with the “L” crossed out and an “R” written in red below it.  The main host is a crazed space pilot who is constantly bickering with his live computer generated guide bot – “Banter”.  The pilot calls out to passerbys to take a space cruise filled with many luxurious features.  The guide bot tries to correct his English, and tell the truth but the pilot interrupts and argues with his cohort. 

If a player pushes a button on the keypad – the pilot immediately comes on to encourage the player to put the money in and play the game.  Once the player puts money in the machine, the pilot chants for others to join in and fill any vacancies.  The bot comes on and logs the player in by requesting them to type their name.  The program will automatically filter out most inappropriate words and will ask the person to type in a different name.  “Banter” is a live computer 3D avatar using a synthesized voice program.  Banter will then refer to the player by their actual name.  Banter will then instruct the person to look into the camera and line up their eyes in the viewfinder.  Once the person pushes the button, they will be instructed how to put on the Head Mounted Display and directed to one of the numbered chairs.  

The player will then walk over to their chair and place their HMD on their head.  Inside the screen on their personal HMD will be a name, and rotating head with the facial capture of the player.  Banter comes on and instructs the player to push the joystick button once they are ready to start. 

Back at the log-in station, the pilot and Banter continue to log-in other players or encourage players to sign up.  After a determined time, the networked game will begin.  If other players approach and seats are available, they can start a new game on those seats. 

Back at the player’s seat, they are entertained with stories and puns from the pilot and Banter until all players are logged in.  The pilot keeps stepping out of camera saying “I’ll be right back” as he goes to check on the status of the other players. 

The log-in station also acts as an air and water reservoir for the special effects in the chairs.  It houses the server as well as the score collector/display for the games and players in progress.  One to four games can be tracked and played at a time.  In the future the players will be able to select their own stories. 

The seats contain a networked PC in the base of the seat.  The seats are driven by the log-in station.  The log-in station sends the name, image, and game selection of the player and then the seat runs its automated program from there. 

Once the players have logged in for a game, the program starts simultaneously on all logged in seats.   

The special effects the seat can produce are: 

Air Blast
Water Spritzer
Scent System
Seat Transducer
Seat Back Audio FX
Seat Cushion Poker
Seat Cushion Ripple
Seat Back Air Bladder
Leg Tickler
Neck Tickler
Seat Back & Cushion Buzzers

The seats are constructed by a partner company and already exist as a commercial product. 

The show begins with the pilot preparing to load the players into the “luxury” space ship.  When the doors open and the players enter, the ship is a rust bucket with broken components.  The pilot promises that all of these things can be fixed easily but they need to get underway. 

The video of the space ship and the pilot is stereoscopic mpeg 4.  The guide bot – Banter is a live computer generated avatar superimposed on the video background.  The name of the ship is the “Desolation.” 

The pilot is comical and quite gross.  Some of the special effects are timed with sneezes and farts from the pilot.  The pilot and Banter encourage the players to use their hands and legs to interact with them throughout the story.  Microphones on the HMDs also relay voices to all networked players. 

As the story progresses, aliens attack the ship.  They demand that the pilot surrender to them for trial on their planet.  It turns out the pilot has some shady dealings in his past.  The pilot acts as if he is complying with the alien’s demands but then fires a weapon into their main ship.  The pilot then fires his engines yelling at the other players to man their weapons to shoot down the attacking aliens. 

At this point the player will interact using a joystick to shoot alien ships in a live 3D game.  The scores between the other players are also relayed by Banter.  When the game portion is finished, the winner is announced and the video portion continues. 

There are two or three scored interactions with the players along with numerous physical interaction requests from the video.

The Fiesta VR system uses a new and exciting interactive technology along with special effects to go beyond 3D movies and video games.  The flexibility of the system allows the Fiesta VR system to be installed at large and small venues alike.  The system can be expanded based on demand, and new stories will be created to keep the content fresh.