R.I.P. Floating Funhouse.
March 1st, 2007 to February 25th, 2008.
You were fun.

TAKE THE VIDEO TOUR (4 minutes)





WHAT IS THE FLOATING FUNHOUSE?
This is a fully interactive massively multi-user "virtual installation" built using the 3D modelling, audio streaming, and scripting functions of Second Life.

WHY DID YOU MAKE IT?
Well, I want people to have fun. Beyond that, I put a great deal of time into sound design. I hope to call attention to the important role sound plays in creating an immersive experience. All of the exhibits in the Funhouse include sound and/or music. At times the sound may simply enhance the experience, but often the sound is central to the success of the piece.

WHAT IS IN THE FUNHOUSE?
Lots of things. Here are the big exhibits:

MUSICAL SNOWBALLS

A snow covered landscape contains 8 spherical shapes that make the gentle sounds of harp strings being plucked when they collide into each other. Each sphere has its own note, and the user can push the balls into one another, creating a small melody.

THE TRANSPORTHOLES

Small circular windows reveal an unrivaled viewing experience: dynamic dioramas depicting various exotic scenes involving aliens, robots, eagles, and sea monsters. Think Natural History Museum, but light years beyond cavemen and buffalo.

THE MUSIC BOX

Three virtual instruments you can play. There is a Glockenspiel, String Bass, and Piccolo. You can also use a pre-programmed sequencer for each instrument.

SLOOSHEE THE GREAT

This is a four minute show featuring three tricks performed by St. Petersburg's famed acrobat Slooshee the Great. This program is appropriate for all children age 1 and up.

HUMAN PINBALL

Imagine being inside a disco-future pinball machine. Duck!

GATES OF CONFUSION

This is essentially a maze. A series of colored door gates hang in the darkness. Due to an optical illusion, the gates appear to change position depending on where the user is standing. The only constant in the room is the various ambient sounds. Listen carefully to find the way out.

THE CURIOS

The Funhouse contain s a number of imported curios such as a vintage Turkish fortune teller machine, the Kill Rasputin Challenge, and the only living цилиндр in captivity (imported from Ukraine).


CAN I VISIT THE FUNHOUSE?
Not anymore. The Floating Funhouse closed its doors on February 25th, 2008. Second Life charges too much money to maintain the property. Really.

CAN I GET SOME FOOD IN THE FUNHOUSE?
Yes. There are Groanies available for one dollar.

WILL SECOND LIFE WORK ON MY COMPUTER?
Maybe. Try it.

WILL THE SOUND WORK?
Not easily. While the 3D sound-space functions are wonderful in Second Life, they are a bit unreliable. There is often significant lag between the time a sound is supposed to play and when it is actually heard. Touching the Slooshee pre-load boxes will help, but there still may be some lag before the sounds work properly. You should always hear some kind of ambient sound in the Funhouse, and many things produce a sound when you click on them.

NONE OF THIS WORKS, DAVE. CAN I SEE A VIDEO?
Yes. Click on this link.

WHY IS EVERYTHING IN RUSSIAN?
The Floating Funhouse was originally built in St. Petersburg in 1968. In 1992 the Funhouse was purchased by a group of American entrepeneurs who made some renovations and added Human Pinball.

DID I HEAR SOMEONE SPEAKING FARSI?
Yes. There are no fewer than 7 languages spoken in the Funhouse.

IS SLOOSHEE ALIVE?
Slooshee is suspended in a meta-state of existence.

IS THAT A JOKE?
I'm not entirely sure.