Step into a prehistoric world where massive creatures roamed the planet. Look up to discover the life-size replica of Sarcosuchus Imperator, the largest crocodile ever, looming over the watering-hole pond where Koi Carp swim below. Explore fossil installations of Titanoboa, the largest snake, Arthropleura, the largest millipede, Smilodon, the largest cat, and Megarachne, the largest spider.
But the adventure doesn’t end there! Use your mobile phone to scan a code and watch in amazement as these giants come to life through the magic of Augmented Reality (AR). Get ready to be astonished as you journey back in time and witness the majesty of these ancient monsters.
Did you know… It’s possible that the prey of Sarcosuchus Imperator even included dinosaurs!
The Giants of the Past project at Plantasia Tropical Zoo, is a ’first of its kind’ for Magic Memories where we’re adding Augmented Reality (MAGIC AR) to our World Class Content Platform. By combining our new cutting-edge AR technology with the wonder of the new installation of fossilised skeletons we will bring prehistoric giants back to life in an immersive and educational experience in partnership with Plantasia. We believe this project will captivate audiences of all ages and ignite a passion for palaeontology and history. This is part of the technology content path that Magic Memories brings to its guests to enhance partners’ brand experience and guests’ memories!
The new ‘AR” experience adds to the already comprehensive free services on offer to guests visiting Plantasia Tropical Zoo, also in Partnership with Magic Memories, these include FREE DIGITAL PHOTOS AND MULTIMEDIA FOR ALL.
Guests can visit the interactive photo kiosks at two points in the Plantasia Tropical Zoo journey they can scan a QR code to capture their images.
Magic Memories comprehensive MAGIC OS platform takes the guests raw images and applies them to various FREE digital photo encounters in the cloud. When the guest scans the QR code on the card (given to them at admissions) then can view, share or download their photos in the Magic Memories My Memories photo album… This is all ‘Free’ included in the Plantasia admissions ticket for every guest/group.
In addition Magic OS creates two movies for the guest to view and share as a FREE bonus to exceed expectations, these can also be accessed via the Mymemories photo album. You can find examples of the FREE guest movies here and here.
The photos are also available for guests to view on two touch screen kiosks near the retail shop. Guests can view and select photos to purchase 6’ x 8’ prints if required, all delivered in a multi page educational and entertaining Plantasia 8 page / 16 side booklet, collected in retail. All content and design was completed by Magic Memories in house design team.
If that was not enough! this year Plantasia has also partnered with ‘Top Trumps’. Scattered throughout the Plantasia Jungle are five GIANT Top Trumps cards from the pack, each representing a unique species from the Tropical Zoo. These larger-than-life cards are part of a special trail that has been designed to offer an interactive and educational experience for all their visitors.
Plantasia Top Trumps cards packs are also available in the retail shop for purchase. As an added bonus, each trail comes with an exclusive Top Trumps card featuring Sarcosuchus Imperator, the largest of the Giants of the Past. This special card is not available anywhere else and adds an extra layer of excitement to the game!
Free ’Giants of The Past’ AR, free digital photos, free videos and free Top Trumps trail in Plantasia!
Partners
- Anthony Williams, Assistant Regional Director – Parkwood Leisure
- Paul Shepard, Attractions Manager – Plantasia Tropical Zoo
- Kathryn Bulson, Marketing & Events Manager – Plantasia Tropical Zoo
- Shaun Moroney, Business Development Director – Magic Memories
Magic Memories are an existing experiential partner of Plantaisa. Once we (Plantasia) had chosen a company to build the extremely large and complex fossils that needed to be installed as five strategic positions with the Tropical Zoo, MM took time to understand the aims of AR project brief.
The AR element had to be Real World (Meaning The 3D animals needed to appear in the Plantasia environment as if they were actually there, when the guest was viewing the experience on their smartphones). The AR experience needed to be triggered and then viewed on the guests phone browser as we did not want guests to have to download an ‘app’ to use the experience, this requirement ensures access to everyone with a smartphone. In addition guests should be able to view fun facts about each creature and take a quiz as well as seeing images and hearing sounds of the animals. As Plantasia is in Wales the experience also needed to be multi language.
The result is a fun, interactive, educational and immersive experience on the five fossil/animal experiences bringing each fossil to life using Magic AR (Magic Memories Augmented Reality).
Top image (C) Plantasia.