Mass Effect 4D Real-World Thrill Ride Gets New Video

Amusement park California's Great America has released a new video for its "4D" Mass Effect attraction, which opens this spring. As announced previously, the ride is called "Mass Effect: New Earth," and it's described as a "4D holographic journey." What's that mean? Check out the video to get an idea.

"Welcome aboard Mass Effect: New Earth at California's Great America, where anyone can be an explorer," says the narrator. "Please prepare for an immersive, 4D holographic across the galaxy...if you dare."

Writing on Twitter, Great America said the attraction features the "world's largest 3D LED screen." The ride was produced in partnership with Electronic Arts and Mass Effect developer BioWare.

When New Earth was announced in September 2015, it was described as a "first-of-it's-kind guest experience," featuring "settings and characters" from the series, brought to life virtually.

Visitors will "climb aboard motion-based seating and wear 3D glasses, live performers will curate the journey and interact seamlessly with the 'next generation 3D visual.'" In addition to the motion seating, the ride will have "high-tech sound and other 4D effects."

Video game publishers are increasingly turning to theme parks to extend their franchises. This is in fact EA's second amusement park ride, as an "intra-active 3D game experience" based on Plants vs. Zombies is opening this spring at the Carowinds theme park in North Carolina.

In 2015, Nintendo announced a partnership with Universal Theme Parks, while Ubisoft is building its own theme park in Malaysia with Assassin's Creed and Rabbids attractions.