Virtual reality added to the Demon at Six Flags Great America
If riding a roller coaster isn't enough of a thrill for you, Six Flags Great America has found a way to spice up one of the oldest rides in the park.
Six Flags Great America officials announced that the "Rage of the Gargoyles Virtual Reality gaming coaster" will debut next weekend on the Demon roller coaster in Gurnee.
Riders will board the roller coaster, strap on virtual reality headsets and become helicopter pilots fighting off evil creatures using cutting-edge gaming technology, officials said in a news release.
The high-definition imagery syncs with the 1,250 feet of looping, twisting coaster track to entertain riders, officials said.
People will be virtually transported into 360-degrees of chaos and asked to "save humanity" during the coaster experience, the news release reads.
"Innovation is park of Six Flags' DNA, and this revolutionary VR technology will transform this classic, fan favorite into a cutting-edge thrill," said Hank Salami, park president. "Rage of the Gargoyles VR is the perfect addition to breathe new life into the Demon coaster."
The Demon is celebrating its 40th anniversary at Six Flags Great America. It debuted in 1976 as the Turn of the Century roller coaster and was one of the first roller coasters in the world to feature a corkscrew maneuver.
The ride received a makeover in 1979 to become the Demon, featuring two vertical loops and its own soundtrack.
Six Flags had announced in June that virtual reality would be coming to the park later in the summer, but at that time had said it expected to add it to the Raging Bull, the park's tallest, longest and fastest roller coaster.
The interactive adventure will get an exclusive preview with season passholders and Samsung phone owners on Friday, Aug. 12, then open to the public Saturday, Aug. 13, officials said.
More information is available at www.sixflags.com/vrcoasters.