Re: Alton Towers | SW7 | Unknown (Gestlauer?) World's 1st
It's just part of the hype. They're using the fact that the SW codename means "stunning and unexpected, world class, utterly frightening and unbelievably fantastic" because of Nemesis and Oblivion and they've pushed the "IP" into the public eye with Thirteen and are now capitalising on it.
It's just hype and advertising, it really is that simple. I think that Robbie may be onto something, kind of, with the X-Men idea.
Remember when The Swarm was thought to be tied into Gears of War 3? Using the same font and look? It's another subtle way of getting people to "click" with the ride and the push. People familiar with GoW would see that and go "what's that GoW thing? Oh, it's a new coaster at Thorpe, but it looks a bit GoW-like, maybe it is". Then they'll have the ride in their perception and will look out for it, just in case.
I think the idea is equally deliberate here. The font and colouring is very X-Men, and the double helix really does smell of the Marvel franchise, but it's not actually linked, but in your mind you're supposed to feel you recognise it. As the new X-Men film is pushed in the coming year, it also pushes the new ride too subconsciously. Familiarity with another brand helps raise awareness and interest in your brand.
Or at least that's how I see it. We certainly know that Ms Holland is an avid horror fan, and that probably extends into gaming and comic brand awareness too. Saw is obvious, but Thirteen was a mix of The Ring and Evil Dead, The Swarm is Pitch Black mixed with something a little more ambiguous (but the entire area and feel is
very James Herbert, though maybe there's a degree of Lost in there too) yet generic - then pushed to look like GoW. Nemesis: Sub-Terra is almost 100% Alien/s. I'll bet if you look even slightly deeply at her work, you can see the influences oozing out at the seams. It's not copying by any means, but it's using familiar work mixed together with a "twist" to produce the look and feel and to make it "comfortable" for visitors. You don't need to do much to Thirteen to get people nervous if they've seen The Ring for instance, they're already on edge because their minds are "comfortable" with the discomforting imagery.
So this will certainly be sci-fi themed looking at the theming. Alien invasion like War of the Worlds, but most likely Falling Skies to keep it contemporary. Wrapped up in a look and feel similar to X-Men to piggy back on the comfortable IP miasma that creates.
Or...
Joey said:
furie said:
Or, it could just be that metallic, shiny double helices look very cool
Depressingly the most likely.