The backward B&M seats

[SaiyanHajime]

Re: The backward B&M seats

What I found funny, was that normal people - non enthusiasts, were saying to me that they don't "get" the backwards seats on Swarm because "the whole point" is the near misses.

Which is interesting, because I would not have expected people to understand that original concept about Swarm as a signature of its design. The TV spot didn't make a big deal of it.

Then I remember that publicity stunt about the test dummies loosing limbs. It goes to show just how powerful such media truly is.

The other interesting thought is questioning how good Swarm's near misses actually are... I remember back like 10 years ago feeling as though I would loose my finger tips on Colossus's airhill as it dives under the shop, but today I can't understand how I ever had that feeling. And I've never thought Swarm's near misses to be great. Have I lost that sense from frequent coaster riding, or are Swarm's near misses just kinda lame?

So I've never truly understood the criticism that Swarm's backwards seats reduce the near misses to pointlessness, because they were never great to begin with IMO?

I read a review of Swarm which pointed out that the problem with Swarm's near miss elements is that there is never any doubt you will make it through. Where its kin all perform some last second maneuver to fit through a weirdly angled gap, Swarm approaches its "near miss" features upright and remains upright, and the gaps don't look menacing or real, but like machine cut outs...

Tim joked that the billboard should have a giant dog barking on the other side, because it looks like a letter box.

 

[cjbrandy]

I didn't try mrawS but I am aware of its lukewarm reception and I'll try it out in the Easter holidays. To be honest I would like Thorpe to change the last 2 rows back because it lengthens the queue for people who want to go forwards which is the majority. I can't see that happening any time soon though because they can make money selling separate fasttracks (are they more expensive than forward ones?). I would love to see Oblivion's back row go backwards, wouldn't that be awesome?

 

[caffeine_demon]

The other interesting thought is questioning how good Swarm's near misses actually are... I remember back like 10 years ago feeling as though I would loose my finger tips on Colossus's airhill as it dives under the shop, but today I can't understand how I ever had that feeling. And I've never thought Swarm's near misses to be great. Have I lost that sense from frequent coaster riding, or are Swarm's near misses just kinda lame?

I disagree - even though I know that noone is going to build a coaster where people will hit the structure or any other elements - sitting on the side closest to the billboard as it passes does get me ducking!

 

[DelPiero]

I've only been on mrawS, maybe 3 times in total. The first couple of times were interesting, but the best part of the ride is looking down at the station and the wasteland, fab.
The ride itself has minor forces in any seat, so the lack of near misses makes the back seats a bore, for me anyway.

I agree with Dan, the left front near miss at the billboard before the turn over the station is very good, but I nearly always go right side for the G's by the helicopter, which can be good late in the day.

 

[Intricks]

Whelp, looks like the general public may keep this thing a running. Screamscape has reported a rumor that Batman at SFoG will be going as namtaB this upcoming season.

This is also ontop of it possibly making a season long appearance at SFGAdv as well.

 

[steel]

I rode backwards Batman at SFOT this summer and I hated it. BTRs are intense enough as they are, all the backwards seats do is make the forces wonky and more painful. Mr Freeze Reverse Blast was pretty cool though. All things considered I think I prefer launching forward just because you can feel the speed more, but the backwards seating worked better there than on BTR.

Trust Six Flags to come up with a half-baked gimmick and milk it for way more than it's worth.