The Future of Lost Continent

[MAC]

Pokemon feels like something that would be a theme park designer's dream - but also something that could be ruined very quickly by corporate lol

I think UC has done a great job of balancing corporate interests (money, money, money) with the needs of the fans (immersion, respect, captivating) across multiple projects/properties. While, yes, they've made bucket loads of money off of Harry Potter, Nintendo, Simpsons, etc., I feel like they've leaned in the direction of if you do it right, the money will follow instead of 'give us your money and like what we've given you'.

 

[Mike S]

Something I didn’t include in my Pokémon Stadium pitch is that in order to participate you’d have to sign up for it. Like I said it would basically be a daily tournament with a winner at the end and could be watched like a show as well with AR tech bringing the battles to life. It wouldn’t be the only attraction and I feel like it would be popular.

For participation you’d either use Pokémon you caught or “rentals” provided at the attraction. Pokémon Home connectivity could be an option but after thinking about it that could offer a very unfair advantage so maybe that could be limited and only offered during some kind of special event or not at all.

 

[moth]

Something I didn’t include in my Pokémon Stadium pitch is that in order to participate you’d have to sign up for it. Like I said it would basically be a daily tournament with a winner at the end and could be watched like a show as well with AR tech bringing the battles to life. It wouldn’t be the only attraction and I feel like it would be popular.

For participation you’d either use Pokémon you caught or “rentals” provided at the attraction. Pokémon Home connectivity could be an option but after thinking about it that could offer a very unfair advantage so maybe that could be limited and only offered during some kind of special event or not at all.

No! I WANT to use my trained Landorus-Therian while on vacation! Let me smoke out everyone because I played Smogon and VGC! I WANT everyone to see my shiny Pokémon!

 

[Cwoolboy]

 

[nikem3]

I think the easiest way to do this would be some sort of integration with Pokemon Go with exclusive Universal activities. Having window-like wands interactives to catch Pokemon could be tough. The benefit of the current wand or even SNW mini game structure is that not everyone feels the need to repeat the process because the effects are mostly the same.

If you had similar interactives, but different Pokémon appeared each time or heck even shiny Pokémon, you'd create endless lines of people trying to hunt over and over again. Pokemon Go could alleviate part of that struggle, and then sell some sort of ball that can integrate with the game where you can use them in battles around the land.

The other option is to make the ride the place to catch Pokemon. This allows you to cycle through as many different Pokemon as you want + shiny and then interact with them outside the ride in some form.

 

[fryoj]

Going to be great PR when a 5 year old beats some 35 year old and they have an absolute screaming fit.

The 35 year old. Not the 5 year old.

 

[queenmetroid]

Going to be great PR when a 5 year old beats some 35 year old and they have an absolute screaming fit.

The 35 year old. Not the 5 year old.

And, unironically, this is why you won't see a hint of versus there.

I understand a lot of us are in the older demographic, but I really think people should be realistic. If such a thing is possible, Pokémon is an even MORE all ages franchise than Mario. This is an IP four year olds love and enjoy, and I strongly doubt there will be a hint of anything complex in this land. For that reason, any attraction that Universal builds will prioritize efficiency and be highly stimulating, or Mario Kart plus. I know we think the driving factor is millennials who love the franchise, but that's absolutely not who Universal will be marketing to for this land.

I'd honestly be shocked even if Pokémon Go made an appearance because they aren't going to want to have some sort of barrier to participation, plus they can sell a trainer wristband.

 

[AustinT]

Enjoyment of the land and its attractions can’t hinge on “gamified” elements. This is already a problem with Mario - Kart and Yoshi are fine, but for me the “game elements” actively detract from the experience (I don’t wear the visor on Kart anymore) and are already dating the attraction. I fear any “game elements,” much more complex then wands in Potter are a significant risk.

This is precisely why I don't want any battling gimmick anywhere in the land. It's too complicated for the guest who knows zero about Pokemon to pick up. Focus on some simple catching gimmick out in the land with Poke balls, sure, but keep the more complex stuff away. The early rumors of that wacky AR battle/attack gamified ride on the SCOOP vehicles for the USJ ride have me worried.

Re: architecture, I'd like them to go compeltely original with it. Take Shanghai's Zootopia land for inspiration. Wacky architecture with elements/motifs from Pokemon designs on each building, and themed exteriors or window displays with simple AAs sprinkled throughout. A nursery with grass types hanging out in planters on the building, an aquarium with large sculpted scales or shell elements from various Pokemon on the exterior, a bakery with some of the food themed Pokemon in the windows, etc. But give the land a more tropical feel with appropriate greenery incorporated throughout so it doesn't feel like a dense, urban environment.

The main ride should just be a Pokemon Snap style attraction if it NEEDS a game element. Keep it packed with AAs in different biomes so guests can use the camera function on the vehicle or not, and it doesn't negatively affect the ride experience if they choose not to participate.

 

[Jake S]

I will say that it will go a long way if they put a heavy emphasis on meet and greets and even a parade.

 

[Mad Dog]

Keep the totality of the land simple so all demographics can enjoy it. For the hard core gamer players, a small low budget side attraction similar to Bowser Jr. at Epic, could be an extra fulfillment. Mario Kart Ride suffers from overt interactivity. That type of concept needs toned down.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I will say that it will go a long way if they put a heavy emphasis on meet and greets and even a parade.

How will they do a parade

 

[nikem3]

Keep the totality of the land simple so all demographics can enjoy it. For the hard core gamer players, a small low budget side attraction similar to Bowser Jr. at Epic, could be an extra fulfillment. Mario Kart Ride suffers from overt interactivity. That type of concept needs toned down.

Definitely a hard problem to tackle to make everyone happy. Not a task I'd want to be in charge of, knowing the scrutiny that will come from ever angle.

 

[SkiBum]

It was probably mentioned but will they ultimately close the land completely? If so, that will create a bit of a problem for walking around the park. Suess Island becomes a deadend and thus all Harry Potter fans will be traipsing through the other lands. No way around it but it will create some nasty chokepoints due to the number of guests being funneled through Jurassic Park and into Hogsmeade.

 

[RFRees]

It was probably mentioned but will they ultimately close the land completely? If so, that will create a bit of a problem for walking around the park. Suess Island becomes a deadend and thus all Harry Potter fans will be traipsing through the other lands. No way around it but it will create some nasty chokepoints due to the number of guests being funneled through Jurassic Park and into Hogsmeade.

Very likely will still have at least a narrow path running through a construction zone.

 

[Mad Dog]

Very likely will still have at least a narrow path running through a construction zone.

Yeah, like they did with the Diagon build....to keep the loop around the park intact.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

It was probably mentioned but will they ultimately close the land completely? If so, that will create a bit of a problem for walking around the park. Suess Island becomes a deadend and thus all Harry Potter fans will be traipsing through the other lands. No way around it but it will create some nasty chokepoints due to the number of guests being funneled through Jurassic Park and into Hogsmeade.

I could see them focusing on the north side of the land first (Poseidon, Sindbad, etc) and then create a walking path over the demo'd area when they close down the south side of the land for demo (Mythos, Kebabs, etc). Just a guess of course.

 

[Viator]

I can't help but wonder if UC might look at what WDI did with Zootopia in Shanghai as a direct inspo for the sake of the creatures being represented throughout the land.

A mixture of puppets from Jim Henson Creature Workshop (with how much they've been working with UDX I wonder if UC wants to eventually bring them on for a permament project) + Animatronics (from the likes of Garner Holt, Creature Technologies or whoever) that are operated either automatically (or in the case of the former, as a result of live entertainment streetmosphere).

Personally speaking--it would do a lot to help boost Pokemon feeling *alive* within the land that UC is creating for the respective parks that are getting Pokemon in a notable way.