It was only in the last two or three years that I got "into" rollercoasters. I first went to Towers in 2009, but didn't ride on anything big. Now in 2013 I've been twice, weeks apart, but it was only during my visit yesterday I got to ride Oblivion.
A fantastic roller coaster, and one of the scariest in the park I'd say. But it desperately needs doing up. Here's some ideas:
The logo: Quite outdated. Maybe a recreation with a similar shaping etc, but with a more metallic, 3D look.
The videos and theme: So beautifully late-90s! As much as I love them, they feel so 90s and need to be refreshed. The spooky man talking is good, as is the whole flashy statistics, but I feel they could be done again as to feel more fresh.
The ride itself: I'm not referring to alterations to the track, but rather paint scheme etc. Minor things really, if they brought in a new logo they could make some alterations to the track.
All in all, I'd say with a few minor things, Oblivion could be brought up to date. It is still a great ride, just the theming is so stale and very clearly 90s!
mac359 wrote:
I'd like to see some orange strobe lights in the tunnel maybe? 8)
Oh that would be good. It could maybe link in with the music: the current drum n bass/techno stuff is very antiquated - I think a dubstep type sound would fit well. Granted, not everyone's cup of tea (myself included) but it's very fresh and quite well fitting.
mac359 wrote:
I'd like to see some orange strobe lights in the tunnel maybe? 8)
Oh that would be good. It could maybe link in with the music: the current drum n bass/techno stuff is very antiquated - I think a dubstep type sound would fit well. Granted, not everyone's cup of tea (myself included) but it's very fresh and quite well fitting.
i agree, make it link to the smiler a little bit more, but not enough so that the whole theming and backstory of oblivion is lost.
I think a change of music, 3d logo, strobes in the tunnel, more smoke and an improved video for the queueline. It does need updating!
I like the theming but isn't it meant to be futuristic? It's like when you watch an old movie that's set in the future and it just doesn't really work..
I think everything about Oblivion is perfect, the only problem is the Vids are rather boring and just plain bad and the entry and exit holes are really eughh. I remember when Oblivion was the hub of X sector and since The Smiler it's gone but to bring it back up to standard it just needs a slight update IMO.
I don't think it needs a retheme at all. The downward arrow is iconic and no it shouldn't change to suit the smiler, for the simple reason.....oblivion was in the area first.
mac359 wrote:
I'd like to see some orange strobe lights in the tunnel maybe? 8)
Or lights that move along with the train (similar to The Smiler tunnel)
Also videos need updating (or even removing). The part of the queue where the vending machines are have videos playing constantly but I've never actually seen the queue in there....people just walk through it.
RCandrew wrote:
I like the theming but isn't it meant to be futuristic? It's like when you watch an old movie that's set in the future and it just doesn't really work..
No, its not meant to be futuristic its just evil corps i.e. the MOJ in the present day hence the youtube viral videos that were made before the Smilers opening and Oblivion it supposed to be and early MOJ project so logic dictates it cant really be in the future unless the have an TARDIS ( dissapointed may i add ) or Harmonies sand glass time traveling thingy! Sorry I digress haha
Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it's just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
‘Cause I'm Mr. Brightside
tallicay2k wrote:
I don't think it needs a retheme at all. The downward arrow is iconic and no it shouldn't change to suit the smiler, for the simple reason.....oblivion was in the area first.
I completely agree. I love oblivions theme and I think it fits it perfectly! The downwards arrow is so simple yet so effective. The fear of going straight down I think is actually highlighted by this logo. The theme music is something I love. The drops of the bass suit the ride brilliantly and link in with the fear of being dropped. Also, now the fanta logo has been replaced with the smilers smile on top of the rehydrator it does link in with the smiler and it does it effortlessly! It is a truly 90's ride and it should stay like that. Orange and black are striking colours which represent what a different roller coaster this is. Especially in 1998 when it was made people thought of roller coasters as having long tracks with simply designed trains- oblivion beat the mold and the colours represent this well.
The theme is perfect as it is - why change it? Oblivion definitely needs a better smoke system in the hole, and definitely a smoke system at the exit as well to stop all the daylight coming in. The whole point of the hole is that it's meant to be a hole into darkness - a strobe light / coloured lights will completely ruin the whole point of the ride. The station needs a lick of paint, but the ride as a whole is still good. The music could do with a touch up - It's drum and bass, but the ride came out in 1998. Drum and bass had really been going on for a good 4 or 5 years - it was in it's infancy. But now, with all the coming about of proper equalising and stuff, would allow the park to update the music ( Literally the same instruments and rhythm, just maybe with some touchups and hell, maybe some new verses. The saxophone needs to go though. ) but still keep it's weird theme.
And maybe look at the trains as well, they could do with some touch ups, definitely.
I don't think it needs even the slightest retheme.
The videos were and still are brilliant.
But I'll tell you where the problem lies.
The videos show in the "tunnel" section of the queueline.
Now, I haven't been on a peak day for a long time because I'm a grumpy scotsman - in fact I actively ensure that I go on a random Tuesday when the schools are in and nowhere near school holidays - so therefore maybe the queue does still stretch down there.
However when I go the queue is typically:
A - Non existent
B - Out the station and slightly down the hill, maybe as far the booth on the corner.
Therefore unless I stop to watch the videos, I catch about 3 seconds of them as I stride past them (more of a waddle than a stride to be fair). That 3 seconds isn't overly important to me - I know the theme - I've seen the video loads of times.
But for a new visitor to the park? They've just missed the whole reason / theme of the ride.
I'd stick the an additional set of monitors - cost would be minimal - just at the entrance to the station, and have them show the video at the same time as the tunnel area.
Otherwise to a new rider it's just a drop ride into a big hole.
Instant Mix wrote:
The theme is perfect as it is - why change it? Oblivion definitely needs a better smoke system in the hole, and definitely a smoke system at the exit as well to stop all the daylight coming in. The whole point of the hole is that it's meant to be a hole into darkness - a strobe light / coloured lights will completely ruin the whole point of the ride. The station needs a lick of paint, but the ride as a whole is still good. The music could do with a touch up - It's drum and bass, but the ride came out in 1998. Drum and bass had really been going on for a good 4 or 5 years - it was in it's infancy. But now, with all the coming about of proper equalising and stuff, would allow the park to update the music ( Literally the same instruments and rhythm, just maybe with some touchups and hell, maybe some new verses. The saxophone needs to go though. ) but still keep it's weird theme.
And maybe look at the trains as well, they could do with some touch ups, definitely.
I would like to keep the sax in the theme, it provides a kind of break between the main chorus bits. But it definitely needs some modern day music touch ups. Also make it longer and if they want play it in the queue!
Alex.D wrote: I would like to keep the sax in the theme, it provides a kind of break between the main chorus bits. But it definitely needs some modern day music touch ups. Also make it longer and if they want play it in the queue!