Alien War
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Alien War was a "total reality" experience in the United Kingdom that originally opened at the Arches in Glasgow themed around the Alien series of films. The attraction had a short run as a mobile event at various exhibition centres in the UK (including the Bournemouth International Centre and the Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre). On 15th October 1993 it opened in the basement of the Trocadero centre in London. The permanent attraction in London closed after a flood in August 1996 and was never reopened. It made a short return between December 1999 and January 2000 in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow in a modified form.
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[edit] Concept
A group of participants were escorted on foot by armed US Colonial Marines to view an "Alien Research Facility" which was an immersive dark set in the style of the films Alien and Aliens. The Aliens would inevitably escape and menace, chase and sometimes even capture both the colonial marines and members of the public. The adult Aliens were realised by performers in suits and the facehugger creatures were animatronic effects.
[edit] Technology
The marines originally carried blank firing pistols. For Alien War London, an innovative electronic system called Soundfire was developed to allow the weapons to sound like those used in the film Aliens. The system consisted of Pulse Rifles with infrared transmitters and small strobe lights (to simulate muzzle flash). When the trigger is pulled a signal is transmitted to receivers hidden in the set. A central computer then plays gunfire sound effects to speakers in the correct area of the set. The system also played other sound effects such as the Alien sounds. The system suffered teething troubles in the first months after opening meaning that the blank firing pistols had to be used for most early shows.
[edit] Alien War 2007
Gary Gillies, co-creator of Alien War, has announced that Alien War will reopen as a touring attraction. It is planned that it will visit Glasgow in July 2007 and then London, France, Germany, Japan and the USA.
[edit] External links
- Alien War story
- The Harry Harris Aliens Collection & Archive: About Alien War
- Wired News article about Alien War London
- Aliens Collection: Alien War coverage
- AvPGalaxy interview with Gary Gillies about the resurrection of Alien War
- Alien Experience interview with Gary Gillies
- MySpace page with news of the 2007 Alien War tour
