SW6 / Thirteen - Viral Marketing/Promotional Discussion

General discussion regarding the UK's No.1 Theme Park. Talk about anything and everything Alton Towers here.
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Vik
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The track shown on the poster appears to be a stock image. The same track appears, not only on the main resort poster, but also in Chessingtons advertising, with a Dragons Fury car on it.

But to some degree these are teasers, so theres no doubt there are some little clues in there somewhere.

I thought I'd seen those gravestones somewhere before as well. :P
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Sam
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The gravestone on the left is totally blank. Normally you would obviously put it down to a lack of detail in something that it just meant to be glanced at, but on here there's a quite obvious plaque that is also obviously empty. I think whoever designed the leaflet wanted to draw the eye to the fact that the gravestone is very obviously blank, and there is something very odd and slightly creepy about that image.

Maybe that fits into this theme pattern that seems to be emerging surrounding 'the unknown'?

Another thing, the entire leaflet is bordered by what is quite obviously scaffolding. A repeat of the "routing excavation work..." with a Corky twist...?
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The story about the team un-earthing the crypt seems very real now.
I'd just like to point out as I don't know if it's been mentioned, but on the flyer it says "in the land previously owned to the Corkscrew"
I dont think Alton Towers would need to include this unless this related to the new ride. So, obviously the new ride will contain information about the Corkscrew, or a storyline to do with it. Hopefully.
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Sir John Talbot
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The scaffolding on the border is merely using the 'pipes' design with something relevent to the ride. And the plans show prominence of scaffolding theming, like Hex, around the enter front side of the facade.
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[quote=""Khrank""]I'd just like to point out as I don't know if it's been mentioned, but on the flyer it says "in the land previously owned to the Corkscrew"[/quote]

To be honest I think that this is more part homage to Corkey and part reference point answering the question that some non coaster nut visitors might have i.e. 'What happened to the Corkscrew'
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[quote=""Wes""]Image

"explore the unknown and experience the unexpected in search of what lies within ... if you dare"[/quote]

Not all those images are from stock photography. Some, like the crooked tree in the bottom right are screen shots from Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow" film.

In this film, there is a headless horseman who is buried beneath a tree. He rises up from the ground, goes and does his stuff and returns with victims heads to be swallowed by the tree roots back into the ground.

To me it seems there's definitely some inspiration taken from that film with all this dark forest/crypt/veiny trees/night watchman stuff. But then again Towers have always been inspired by Burton's films so comes as no surprise.

What's also creepy about that concept is the pictures of what looks like the river styx!
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I guess this kinda comes under promotion. I was hoping that there would be some actors of some sort surrounding the site, similar to the construction of Mutiny Bay and Oblivion. Is this still a possibility or is this unlikely to happen? Its just some more magic that wouldn't really take that much effort for a big brand like Alton and Merlin.
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I would have thought that this summer would have been the best time to get some actors around the UG Land area. Actors do make a big difference and do get guests wondering what's going on.

I recently contacted Central Marketing for Merlin Entertainments to ask if the SW6 visual we've seen on park will be put online in HQ, just for personal interest really. They told me that they won't be able to publish anything online till next year. A bit pointless me mentioning this but thought I'd just share it with you all.

It's almost definite that Corkscrew will be involved with the storyline of SW6 otherwise it wouldn't be mentioned on the posters. I like the look of the poster, it does have that sinister, Gothic theme going on which is what Alton are best at doing. I'm not sure if we should be looking too much into the visual as it could just be some stock images to show what the theme of the ride will be as mentioned already by other people.
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I will agree with that.

For a secret project and a worlds first, why would you want to give clues and hints away on a poster? It's not right in my view and I don't think they would do such an obvious thing. Not to mention it spoils any excitement people have of what to expect.

I'm not moaning at people for trying to look for clues and hints, because it's only natural to look for speculation, but all I will say is don't get too worked up about it because you wouldn't want to be dissapointed. We all love a big surprise :)
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Vik
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They are not going to give clues that will be a dead giveaway. Just some subtle little hints as to what we could possibly expect. A similar thing was done with Oblivion.

It is just normal curiosity to look for such clues and hints, as you say, but if you don't want people to get worked up about it, then there would be little point in having discussion threads on the subject. :shock:

The whole idea behind the advertising is to get people worked up and looking for hints, and to talk about it, even if there aren't any at the moment, as well as, of course, to encourage people to come back next year.

It would be a pretty pointless exercise doing all the advertising if no one was encouraged to get worked up about it, would it not?
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ATR09
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A new bigger look at a new peice of SW6 Marketing.

[url=http://forum.towerstimes.co.uk/viewtopi ... 36#p475836" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]viewtopic.php?p=475836#p475836[/url]

:)
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[quote=""Vik""]They are not going to give clues that will be a dead giveaway. Just some subtle little hints as to what we could possibly expect. A similar thing was done with Oblivion.

It is just normal curiosity to look for such clues and hints, as you say, but if you don't want people to get worked up about it, then there would be little point in having discussion threads on the subject. :shock:

The whole idea behind the advertising is to get people worked up and looking for hints, and to talk about it, even if there aren't any at the moment, as well as, of course, to encourage people to come back next year.

It would be a pretty pointless exercise doing all the advertising if no one was encouraged to get worked up about it, would it not?[/quote]

You sort of missed my point. I am basically saying not to get worked up and by which I mean in the sence that, if you have convinced yourself something will be there and it isn't, don't be dissapointed in the end result. :)
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Hey, Im new to the boards so apologies if someone has mentioned this before or if it's already been discussed or its a load of rubbish. Havent had a chance to read all the posts on here.

happend to stumble across 2 websites, bothe redirecting to the same page. [url=http://www.rideintotheunknown.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]www.rideintotheunknown.com[/url] and rideintotheunknown.co.uk

Nothing interesting on these sites relating to the ride or any affiliation as such, jus a folder and some code.
i asked a friend to help me out, and he said that it was probably a website being blocked whilst under construction. The interesting part though was the date on the site of its creation or last going live 17th of August which if im not mistaken is right around the time the new marketing adds appeared this tied in with the domain name lead me to think they might be pushing this whole "unknown" idea as the major tagline or even ride name, not jus a marketing gimmick on the posters.

could be a load of rubbish (most likely) but jus thought it might be noteworthy on a possible future website soon to be up and running.
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[quote=""FallenAngel""]happend to stumble across 2 websites, bothe redirecting to the same page. [url=http://www.rideintotheunknown.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;]http://www.rideintotheunknown.com[/url] and rideintotheunknown.co.uk

Nothing interesting on these sites relating to the ride or any affiliation as such, jus a folder and some code.
i asked a friend to help me out, and he said that it was probably a website being blocked whilst under construction. The interesting part though was the date on the site of its creation or last going live 17th of August which if im not mistaken is right around the time the new marketing adds appeared this tied in with the domain name lead me to think they might be pushing this whole "unknown" idea as the major tagline or even ride name, not jus a marketing gimmick on the posters.

could be a load of rubbish (most likely) but jus thought it might be noteworthy on a possible future website soon to be up and running.[/quote]
Interesting theory. However, a quick whois search reveals that the domains belong to Thom (a TT member), who runs a few different fan/info sites, including 100% Alton Towers Resort.

Therefore they're unfortunately not official.

Good catch, though :)! Could've been something quite interesting...
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FallenAngel
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apologies for that. cant believe i didnt check the domains owner. shows how much longer youve been doing this compared to me.
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Johno
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I did try and find AT hosting a site.

Just putting random lookups into whois, but no Avail.
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dan219
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Hey guys,

Just joined the forum - so bare with me - don't have the time to read literally everything.

Aaanyway I wanted to put my two pennies worth in...

A few people have mentioned the development with SW6. I have quite historically and present strong links with the Towers so I like to see what others thing too.

Basically I have been following the new addition to the park in the form of SW6. Now suggestions are being thrown around regarding what exactly it will be. Some are suggesting perhaps digging up a secret crypt and unearthing some hidden power/being.

Would this not be a continuation or even a rip off of HEX? 2 sides of the stories there.

It could be good in the sense that the story has some how continued:

As the room in the towers (HEX) was found by workers, have those same workers continued there work and found this crypt with a mysterious figure in it...Story as follows:

When the witches curse came true for the Earl when one of his family members dies did the Earl become vengeful in his emotions and have his staff hunt the beggar women down? Once found he may have killed her and bury her in a deep, secret crypt in the hope of breaking the curse. However now that the crypt has been found and open, is the witch full of wrath to unleash on 'us' today?!


Just an idea! Any other thoughts?
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riderita
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Love it!

Welcome to the forum dan219!

The hooded figure seen on some of the plans could be linked to the witch in some way.

Am I mistaken to say that there is a hooded UV figure in the octagon(?) room?

I hope there will an expansion on the hex story, its the most original thing going for the towers.
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Johno
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I'm thinking that that could be very near to the storyline tbh.
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dan219
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HAHA! - first post and it was at least a goer :D


I definitely think that AT have the opportunity to make use of continuity skills here and build on HEX. I mean I love HEX and a theme etc but it has been there a few years. By building on an already strong and original theme/story this also throws life back in to HEX itself with no actual money having needed to be spent on it as such.

Having released the witch and her wrath for all mankind for the cruelty she faced at the hands of the earl what is her mission? who is she helped by?

This really can be played out well. With creatures crawling from every tomb across the park it has a sweeping excitement and amazement if done properly. Has the witch called upon all her forces to engulf rage once again?

I could just imagine what Universal or even Disney would do with this, it would be out of this world.

Hounds are a strong link with AT - are these now under the witches spell/hounds of hell?!

I think ToTT 2010 could be the best yet as well as the witch really is in control and make us her 'prisoners' within the tower with her army a fiendish ghouls and monsters being her watchmen over us?!

Having Cloud Cuckoo land adjacent is good as well as it means the horror/scare element of this 'new area' will not mean a loss in footfall because of those with small children. CC land is close enough for everyone to enjoy that part of the park right?

Rita - hmmm I'm not exactly sure what they could now do with this - maybe as the cars are released from the station they can some how mimic the ghouls or 'magic' escaping from some where.

I think AT have a perfect opportunity to bring back the 'magic' that was so strong for Alton Towers some years ago. Hmmm i'm excited yet holding back some what. Hopefully those involved with Mutiny Bay have had a strong influence on this area as they have done well there.
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