Last year Netflix opened a very unique attraction in Texas called Netflix House, a first of its kind entertainment venue where guests could step into the heart of their favourite shows, one particular experience was Stranger Things: Face the Dark where guests could step into the heart of Hawkins.
Interactive tech designers Alterface provided the technology for this immersive experience supplying 560 devices designed to guide and immerse visitors in the story and environment. The company created devices with an 80s-inspired look, developed custom electronics, firmware, and software, and ensured seamless integration with the other technology vendors powering the attraction. The result is a system that responds dynamically to guests’ movement throughout the experiences, creating a truly personalized journey.
Guests are on a search and rescue mission set at the end of Season 4 equipped with flashlights and headphones featuring binaural audio as they explore a whole variety of themed locations such as Castle Byers and Eddie Munson’s trailer, looking for clues and reacting to unexpected thrills.
Guests can move at their own pace guided by light and sound along with live actors but the experience is customised per person and per group for a unique adventure.
Imagine splitting off from your friends to investigate further, with the technology designed each guest will have audio specifically targeted to what they are looking at whilst they are investigating utilising the very clever technology that Alterface has designed.
This was made possible through a customized geolocation system that tracks every visitor in real time throughout the experience, enabling audio and visual feedback to respond instantly to each guest’s actions and location. Guests quite literally hear what they see: when a visitor approaches a clue or event, only those nearby receive the corresponding sound, ensuring focus and immersion.
Building on this, the system continuously adapts the narrative to each visitor’s actions and location. If guests split up, the story follows them; if they move off the expected path, the narrative continues without interruption; and when groups regroup, storytelling synchronizes seamlessly. All of these adaptations happen without visible triggers, making the experience feel natural and responsive while managing dozens of guests simultaneously.
Alterface admitted it was certainly a challenge implementing the system, especially one that is customised to deliver a personalised show for each guest but it’s paid off and is operating at a very high standard indeed offering a very cool and immersive experience with a retro twist within Netflix House Dallas.
Stéphane Battaille, CEO of Alterface said:
With Stranger Things: Face the Dark, guests actually step into the world of Stranger Things and interact with the story in a way that feels natural and alive.
It’s the kind of next-generation immersive experience we strive to create, where technology operates invisibly to support the story.
