Merlin Entertainments has worked alongside Alterface with the creation of the Dämonen Gruft (Demon’s Crypt) compact dark ride at Heide Park Resort, northern Germany’s largest theme park. 

Visitors are promised an “immersive plunge into a dangerous netherworld,” with the attraction located within “ancient catacombs discovered during excavations last year amid whispers of dark secrets and rumours of people going missing.”

Heide Park Resort further build the storyline: “An anonymous video of a shadowy figure warned against attempting the “Katakomben Tour” and spoke of the Demon’s Crypt. Ominous warnings beg the question: is the Demon’s Crypt a new exciting experience not to be missed or a terrible trap? The entrance to Dämonen Gruft.”

Stéphane Battaille, CEO of Alterface, reveals further details about the scare experience: “Merlin Entertainments called upon Alterface to oversee the production of the show and ensure every detail—from lighting and sound to media and special effects—was flawlessly synchronised.

“Collaborating closely with Merlin on art direction, we brought their vision to life by recruiting the perfect team to realize the frightening promise of Demon’s Crypt.” 

Alterface worked with a mix of newcomers and highly experienced partners from around the globe for the project. Two Belgian firms were recruited, Oddities, who provided critical support in art direction and played a vital role in bringing the concept to life, and 400 Coups who were charged with media production. 

Meanwhile, Andy Garfield at Pachinko Media in the USA managed audio production, and JP Show Systems from the UK provided show control and technical design. Preston & Barbieri from Italy were contracted by Merlin Entertainments to provide the ride system and TAA Group in Spain to provide theming. 

Heide Park Resort is the largest theme park in Northern Germany, covering over 850,000 m2 (210 acres). The resort is part of the British-based Merlin Entertainments, which operates 123 attractions in 24 countries.

Images: Alterface