[A new virtual reality-based attraction is coming to New York. The brief description below from New Jersey Family is followed by extended excerpts from a Secret London review of the London edition of Horizon of Khufu”; another review, from blooloop, provides this:

“Immersive experiences strive to achieve the suspension of disbelief and VR technology is heavily challenged in this area. Computer game-style visuals, the absence of body and symbolic identification, coupled with abrupt transitions and inevitable spatial glitches are the price to pay for employing VR in attractions.

However, The Horizon of Khufu offers an impressive level of detail including weeds at the river bottom, extra spaces for visitors who may stray beyond the allowed perimeter, a full set of teeth inside digital heads, and spectacular 360 views from the summit of the Great Pyramid. This contributes a great deal to painting the picture and mitigates many of the inherent tech drawbacks.

Overall, The Horizon of Khufu provided a high-quality experience with significant educational value and a high level of immersion. It has delivered on its marketing promise, promptly adapted to market dynamics by adjusting pricing and has stood out in the busy marketplace.”

For a more detailed first-person report on the experience (with spoilers), see a review of the Atlanta edition from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The original versions of all these articles include more images, and for more information see the Horizon of Khufu website. –Matthew]

A Virtual Reality Experience in NYC Will Have You Soaring Through Egypt

See the Great Pyramids and sail on the Nile as if you were actually there

By Jennifer Amato
October 8, 2024

If seeing the Pyramids is on your bucket list, but a 10-hour airline flight is not, a new virtual reality experience in New York will offer the next best thing to being in Giza itself.

Horizon of Khufu brings you back 4,500 years to experience the mysteries of Ancient Egypt. Anyone age 8 and older can put on the VR headset and roam around as they wish – meaning everyone in your crew will have their own unique experiences.

It’ll take you about 45 minutes to go through 11,000 square feet of space where you can navigate the tombs of Pharaoh Khufu, see the majestic Giza Necropolis and the Great Pyramids, journey across the Nile, attend a mummification ceremony and witness King Khufu’s last rites.

The show has toured globally but is making its NYC debut thanks to VR entertainment company Eclipso and Excurio’s Immersive Expeditions. Excurio consulted with renowned Egyptologist Dr. Peter Der Manuelian of Harvard University’s Giza Archives Project to develop the content, so you’ll be getting lots of historical accuracy and a true glimpse into Egypt’s past.

Horizon of Khufu will be open on select dates from October 25 through January 26, 2025, at Eclipso Centre’s flagship location in Hell’s Kitchen: 555 W. 57th St., New York. Tickets are available every day except Mondays. The cost is $39 per adult or $34 per child but certain discounts apply. Open to age 8 and up, but you must be at least 4 feet 6 inches tall to attend.

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[From Secret London]

I Journeyed To Ancient Egypt At This Virtual Reality Experience – And Loved It

We embarked on a virtual reality expedition to explore the wonders and mysteries of Ancient Egypt, here’s my review of London’s Horizon of Khufu experience…

Chloe Byrne – Staff Writer
February 29, 2024

[snip]

What can you expect?…

Like any expedition, you first need to gear up. Once we had named our avatars, we were led to a space where we received the VR equipment that would transport us back in time. Fittingly, the headset and system that we shimmied onto our shoulders was akin to wearing a hiking backpack and goggles (the latter may not be an expedition essential but let’s just pretend there’s a sandstorm) so we felt well prepared to travel to the time-bending wilds of Ancient Egypt. Just a note – I would recommend wearing comfy shoes because you can expect to be on your feet for over 45 minutes.

When we were all equipped and ready to go, we were given the lowdown on what to expect – there’ll be a few groups in a big room, don’t walk towards red walls, avoid bumping into other avatars etc. – and then we pulled on our headsets. Instantly, I was immersed in a black void and shuffling around like a baby learning to walk again, but after some digital (and mental) calibration I took my first steps into a new virtual reality universe.

I don’t want to give too much away but I had my highlights. First up, the blend of historical fact and mythology. While I have to admit, it took me a while to concentrate on what our virtual guide Mona was saying since I was consumed by the fear I’d bump into a stranger, once I realised that was very unlikely (considering you can see them as avatars wandering around), I soon tuned in. Designed with a bumbling charisma and eager passion for the subject Mona chirpily enlightened us about the story behind the titular ‘Horizon of Khufu’ – the name the ancient Egyptians had given to the Great Pyramid of Giza. The lines between reality and the digital world soon blurred as we journeyed deeper into the pyramid’s forbidden depths, but it was a comfort to see the other members of my group – with their names handily hovering above their avatars – were along for the ‘ride’ alongside me. Everyone might be sharing the sprawling space but each expedition was private and there was plenty of room for all of us.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll likely be distracted by the curious cat who accompanies you. I’m guilty of pointing at it a few times like a fascinated child. Well, much to our enjoyment that cat turns out to be more than just a nosy companion. Let’s just say the foray into the mythological side of things was a personal favourite part of mine – introducing you to the gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt and shedding light on how myth and ritual are intertwined, particularly when it comes to death and the afterlife. In this case, the funeral rites of an Egyptian Pharaoh. You get to follow in the footprints of people who lived over 4,500 years ago, seeing their customs and traditions unfold right in front of you. It’s a precious glimpse into history.

This virtual time travel is all made possible with cutting-edge technology. The visuals did their job at making me feel like I had stumbled onto the Giza Plateau. Like a high-def video game dialled up a notch, the looming height of pyramids felt just as gargantuan and impressive as described in history books. Plus, when we emerged outside at the cloud-brushing peak, there was even a touch of giddy vertigo, as if I had just clambered up a mountain and wasn’t in fact fumbling around a room in Westfield shopping centre.

The characters and animals also had natural movement, and watching the light-footed cat spring up time-worn rocks or a soaring bird circle us in the sky helped create a sense of awe rooted in reality, further adding to the magic of it all. A lot of the time my fingers were twitching to reach for my phone to snap a pic; as if I could capture the dusky sunsets, giant silver moon and stunning centuries-old structures laid out before me.

Keep in mind…

[snip]

Thanks to the efficacy of the digital effects, there were moments where it felt like you were gliding up to incredible heights – you don’t move a muscle but for someone with a fear of heights or motion sickness it might be something to consider. This goes for people with claustrophobia also. The exploration of the small and dark tunnels inside the pyramid could be discomforting for some, though you do have the freedom to remove your headset if it becomes too much.

[snip to end]