AnimaLive, a UK-based live character animation specialist, has launched Anima-AR, a new system that integrates computer-generated images into real-world environments.

Designed to enhance the visitor experience, Anima-AR consists of a set of pre-made games, videos and quizzes, that users can access via a smartphone. Visitors simply scan a 'trigger', usually an image, with their device, which launches a game, video or quiz on to their screens.

The initial launch has been designed for family entertainment centres (FECs), while a second batch, for museums and science centres is currently in development.

"The biggest challenge facing operators when implementing an AR attraction is they don't know where to start with the development," said AnimaLive CTO Jake Slack.

"Often the resulting development costs are higher than the available budgets and projects never get off the ground. We have worked hard to put together a series of pre-made AR applications which can be used universally across our client'a locations."

"We take care of hosting the application and all of the tricky development. All the client has to do is provide the guest a link to download the app and strategically place the markers around their location," he added.