Patent Publication Number: US-10765962-B2

Title: Interactive maze attraction systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/772,499, entitled “INTERACTIVE MAZE ATTRACTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” filed Nov. 28, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of amusement parks. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to interactive maze attraction systems and methods. 
     Amusement parks and/or theme parks may include various entertainment attractions. One type of entertainment attraction may include a ride attraction with a ride vehicle that moves along a fixed path. However, with the increasing sophistication of modern entertainment attractions and the corresponding increase in expectations among guests, improved and more creative entertainment attractions are needed. For example, it is now recognized that it would desirable to provide a ride attraction that provides a variable and/or an interactive experience. 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of certain disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below. 
     In an embodiment, an attraction system includes a first level, a second level positioned vertically above or below the first level, and one or more controllers configured to present a game environment to one or more riders in a ride vehicle as the ride vehicle travels along a path on the first level. The maze attraction system also includes a lift configured to move the ride vehicle vertically from the first level to the second level based at least in part on a performance of the one or more riders in the game environment. 
     In an embodiment, a maze attraction system includes a maze defined by multiple walls and one or more controllers configured to present a game environment to one or more riders in a ride vehicle as the ride vehicle travels through the maze. The multiple walls include a first movable wall positioned along a first path through the maze and a second movable wall positioned along a second path through the maze, the first movable wall and the second movable wall are each configured to move between a respective first position to block passage of the ride vehicle and a respective second position to enable passage of the ride vehicle. The one or more controllers are configured to select and to move one of the first movable wall or the second movable wall from the respective first position to the respective second position to enable passage of the ride vehicle along the first path or the second path, respectively, based at least in part on a performance of the one or more riders in the game environment. 
     In an embodiment, a method includes driving, using one or more controllers, a ride vehicle through a maze. The method also includes presenting, using the one or more controllers, a game environment to one or more riders in the ride vehicle as the ride vehicle travels along a path through the maze. The method further includes monitoring, via the one or more controllers, a performance of the one or more riders in the game environment. The method further includes operating, via the one or more controllers, a lift to move the ride vehicle vertically from a first level to a second level located vertically above or below the first level based at least in part on the performance of the one or more riders in the game environment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic top view of a maze attraction system having one or more lifts within a maze, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic top view of a maze attraction system having a maze defined by one or more movable walls, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic top view of a maze attraction system having one or more lifts within a maze defined by one or more movable walls, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a portion of the maze attraction system of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of a method of operating the maze attraction system of  FIG. 3 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to an attraction system for an amusement park or a theme park. The attraction system may include various features that provide a variable experience to riders. Such features may include multiple different paths through a maze of the attraction system, movable walls, multiple levels (e.g., vertically-spaced levels), and/or lifts that move (e.g., raise and/or lower) ride vehicles between the multiple levels. In an embodiment, the attraction system may provide a game environment and/or include features that facilitate interaction between riders and the attraction system. For example, user input (e.g., direct input or indirect input via game performance in the game environment) may select a path through the attraction system, cause movement of the movable walls, cause the lift to move the ride vehicle between the multiple levels, and/or adjust ride effects (e.g., animatronic characters, visual effects, audio effects). In this manner, repeat riders may have a different experience during each ride. 
     While the present techniques are disclosed in conjunction with a maze attraction system in which riders are positioned within ride vehicles to travel through the maze attraction system, other embodiments may involve other attraction types. For example, a maze attraction in which guests walk through a maze having movable walls, multiple levels, and/or lifts as provided herein is also envisioned. Furthermore, the maze attraction system (or at least some levels of the maze attraction system) disclosed herein may be devoid of a maze structure, and instead may include one path and/or generally open spaces through which the ride vehicle may move or drive. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an embodiment of a portion of a maze attraction system  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the maze attraction system  10  includes a maze  12  having one entrance  14  and multiple exits  16 . In operation, a ride vehicle  18  carrying one or more riders may enter the maze  12  via the entrance  14  and may follow a path, such as a path  20 , to one of the exits  16 . It should be appreciated that the maze  12  may have any suitable number of entrances  14  (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more) and/or exits  16  (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more), as well as any suitable number of paths (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more). 
     In an embodiment, the ride vehicle  18  is an automated vehicle (e.g., autonomous, self-driven, automated guided vehicle [AGV]) that is powered by a motor (e.g., linear synchronous motor [LSM]) and that navigates through the maze  12  without direct control by the rider (e.g., without a steering wheel or pedals operated by the rider). For example and as discussed in more detail below, the ride vehicle  18  may include a ride vehicle controller (e.g., electronic controller) that is programmed to follow a path based on one or more paths stored in its memory device, based on inputs from wires in a floor of the maze  12 , and/or based on instructions received from an attraction controller (e.g., electronic controller). 
     In an embodiment, the maze attraction system  10  may provide a game experience in which the one or more riders in the ride vehicle  18  collect points, complete gaming battles, solve puzzles, or participate in various other gaming activities. Thus, as the ride vehicle  18  travels through the maze  12 , the one or more riders may interact with a game environment of the maze attraction system  10 . For example, the game environment may include targets  22  (e.g., physical targets or virtual targets, such as virtual targets projected onto a wall that defines the maze  12 ) throughout the maze  12 , and the one or more riders may operate an input device on the ride vehicle  18  to virtually or actually hit the targets  22  (e.g., launching shells, aiming a light beam) to collect points. The one or more riders may additionally or alternatively complete challenges (e.g., gaming battles and/or puzzles), such as by hitting targets  22  as part of a gaming battle or by answering questions by hitting targets  22  that correspond to particular answers. The attraction controller, or other suitable processing device, may monitor the game performance of the one or more riders as the ride vehicle  18  travels through the maze  12 . 
     In an embodiment, the maze attraction system  10  may include multiple levels (e.g., 2, 3, 4, or more vertically-spaced levels). As shown, one or more lifts  30  may be provided to move (e.g., raise and/or lower) the ride vehicle  18  between the multiple levels, and the one or more lifts  30  may move the ride vehicle  18  based on the game performance. Some or all of the lifts  30  may be used to raise the ride vehicle  18  and/or some or all of the lifts  30  may be used to lower the ride vehicle  18 . For example, a first lift  30 ,  32  may only be used to lower the ride vehicle  18 . In such cases, if a score for the one or more riders is below a lift threshold when the ride vehicle  18  reaches the first lift  30 ,  32  (e.g., as measured at a first checkpoint  34 , which may be at any location proximate to the first lift  30 ,  32 ), the ride vehicle  18  may be positioned on the first lift  30 ,  32 , and the ride vehicle  18  may be lowered to a lower level (e.g., vertically below the level with the maze  12 ) via the first lift  30 ,  32 . However, if the score for the one or more riders is above the lift threshold when the ride vehicle  18  reaches the first lift  30 ,  32 , the ride vehicle  18  may continue along the path  20 . Some or all of the other lifts  30  may operate in a similar manner, and thus, the ride vehicle  18  may drop to the lower level and may be removed from the maze  12  at various locations in the maze  12  if the score is below a respective lift threshold at each of the lifts  30  (e.g., due to poor game performance). 
     In an embodiment, the first lift  30 ,  32  may only be used to raise the ride vehicle  18 . In such cases, if a score for the one or more riders is above a lift threshold when the ride vehicle  18  reaches the first lift  30 ,  32  (e.g., as measured at the first checkpoint  34 ), the ride vehicle  18  may be positioned on the first lift  30 ,  32 , and the ride vehicle  18  may be raised to an upper level (e.g., vertically above the level with the maze  12 ) via the first lift  30 ,  32 . However, if the score for the one or more riders is below the lift threshold when the ride vehicle  18  reaches the first lift  30 ,  32 , the ride vehicle  18  may continue along the path  20 . Some or all of the other lifts  30  may operate in a similar manner, and thus, the ride vehicle  18  may rise to the upper level and may be removed from the maze  12  at various locations in the maze  12  if the score is above a respective lift threshold at each of the lifts  30  (e.g., due to excellent game performance). 
     In an embodiment, the first lift  30 ,  32  may be used to either raise or lower the ride vehicle  18  based on the game performance. In such cases, if a score for the one or more riders is above a first lift threshold when the ride vehicle  18  reaches the first lift  30 ,  32  (e.g., as measured at the first checkpoint  34 ), the ride vehicle  18  may be raised to the upper level via the first lift  30 ,  32 . However, if the score for the one or more riders is below a second lift threshold when the ride vehicle  18  reaches the first lift  30 ,  32 , the ride vehicle  18  may be lowered to the lower level via the first lift  30 ,  32 . If the score for the one or more riders is in a range between the first and second lift thresholds, the ride vehicle  18  may continue along the path  20 . Some or all of the other lifts  30  may operate in a similar manner, and thus, the ride vehicle  18  may rise to the upper level or drop to the lower level at various locations in the maze  12  (e.g., due to excellent game performance or poor game performance, respectively). It should be appreciated that in an embodiment, game performance above a lift threshold may result in lowering the ride vehicle  18  to the lower level, while game performance below a lift threshold may result in raising the ride vehicle  18  to the upper level. 
     It should be appreciated that the game performance of the one or more riders may refer to any game performance, including the score (e.g., overall cumulative number of points, which may be based on a number of targets  22  hit) and/or the outcome of one or more challenges (e.g., gaming battles and/or puzzles). Thus, the outcome of a challenge proximate to the first lift  30 ,  32  (e.g., at the first checkpoint  34 ) may affect whether the ride vehicle  18  is moved up or down via the first lift  30 ,  32 . For example, if the one or more riders fails in the challenge, the ride vehicle  18  may be lowered to the lower level via the first lift  30 ,  32 . However, if the one or more riders succeeds in the challenge, the ride vehicle  18  may continue along the path  20 . 
     In an embodiment, the ride vehicle  18  may be directed along a fixed path (e.g., predetermined path) through the maze  12 . For example, the ride vehicle  18  may be programmed (e.g., via instructions stored in a memory device of the ride vehicle controller) or otherwise directed (e.g., via the attraction controller and/or via selection by the one or more riders prior to the ride) to follow the path  20  through the maze  12 , and the path  20  taken by the ride vehicle  18  through the maze  12  may not vary based on the game performance. Instead, the ride vehicle  18  may travel along the path  20  and may be moved out of the path  20  (e.g., raised and/or lowered) via the one or more lifts  30  based on the game performance. The ride vehicle  18  may be directed along different fixed paths in subsequent trips through the maze  12 , and/or other ride vehicles  18  may be directed along different fixed paths through the maze  12 . In this way, the one or more riders may experience variation in the ride experience by traveling along different paths during repeat rides, and also by moving out of the maze  12  via the one or more lifts  30  at different points in the maze  12  based on the game performance during repeat rides. 
     Alternatively, the path taken by the ride vehicle  18  through the maze  12  may vary based on the game performance. For example, the attraction controller may direct the ride vehicle  18  (e.g., via instructions to the ride vehicle controller and/or via signals in wires in the floor of the maze) to move along one of many paths based on the game performance. For example, if a score is above a path threshold (e.g., as measured at a second checkpoint  36 ), the ride vehicle  18  may be directed in a first direction  38  along the path  20 . However, if the score is below the path threshold at the second checkpoint  36 , the ride vehicle  18  may be directed in a second direction  40  along a different path. In this way, the one or more riders may affect (e.g., indirectly via game performance) which path the ride vehicle  18  takes through the maze  12 , and the one or more riders may experience different paths during repeat rides. Additional paths (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more) may diverge from a point (e.g., at the second checkpoint  36 ), and thus, multiple different path thresholds may be utilized. 
     As noted above, the game performance may refer to any game performance, including a score and/or an outcome of one or more challenges. For example, the one or more riders may be presented with a challenge within the maze  12  (e.g., at the second checkpoint  36 ), and the outcome of the challenge may affect which path the ride vehicle  18  takes through the maze  12 . For example, if the one or more riders succeeds in the challenge, the ride vehicle  18  may be directed in the first direction  38  along the path  20 . However, if the one or more riders fails in the challenge, the ride vehicle  18  may be directed in the second direction  40  along the different path. 
     Optionally, one of the one or more lifts  30  (e.g., a second lift  30 ,  42 ) may be located at the point where multiple paths diverge (e.g., where the path  20  diverges from the different path). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, after reaching the second checkpoint  36 , the ride vehicle  18  may be directed in the first direction  38  along the path  20 , directed in the second direction  40  along the different path, lowered to the lower level, and/or raised to the upper level (e.g., based on the game performance, such as by comparing a score to respective thresholds and/or based on an outcome of a challenge). For example, a first score (e.g., highest score) may result in the ride vehicle  18  being raised to the upper level, a second score (e.g., a next highest score) may result in the ride vehicle  18  being directed in the first direction  38  along the path  20 , a third score (e.g., a next highest score) may result in the ride vehicle  18  being directed in the second direction  40  along the different path, and/or a fourth score (e.g., a lowest score) may result in the ride vehicle  18  being lowered to the lower level. 
     Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the maze attraction system  10  may utilize any of a variety of more complex gaming rules to control the path of the ride vehicle  18  through the maze attraction system  10 . For example, if a score for the one or more riders is below a lift threshold when the ride vehicle  18  reaches the first lift  30 ,  32 , the ride vehicle  18  may be lowered to the lower level via the first lift  30 ,  32 . However, if the score for the one or more riders is above the lift threshold such that the ride vehicle  18  will not be lowered to the lower level by the first lift  30 ,  32 , then the one or more riders may be presented with a challenge. The outcome of the challenge may be utilized to determine whether the ride vehicle  18  will be directed in the first direction  38  along the path  20  or in the second direction  40  along the different path. For example, if the one or more riders succeeds in the challenge, the ride vehicle  18  may be directed in the first direction  38  along the path  20 . However, if the one or more riders fails in the challenge, the ride vehicle  18  may be directed in the second direction  40  along the different path. 
     It should be appreciated that each level (e.g., a lowest level, an uppermost level, and/or any intermediate levels) of the maze attraction system  10  may include a different maze, and the ride vehicle  18  may be raised and/or lowered multiple times to move through multiple different mazes as the ride vehicle  18  travels through the maze attraction system  10 . Additionally, the ride vehicle  18  may move one or more levels at a time. Each level may have a different game difficulty. For example, the lower level(s) may provide generally easier games (e.g., larger targets, easier puzzles), and the upper level(s) may provide generally harder games (e.g., smaller targets, more difficult puzzles). In an embodiment, at least one level (e.g., the lowest level) may not include a maze and/or ride effects. For example, the game may end when the ride vehicle  18  is lowered to the lowest level, and the ride vehicle  18  may be directed straight to an exit of the lowest level where the rider exits the ride vehicle  18 . With the disclosed embodiments, the rider may feel rewarded for excellent game performance by physically moving up to a higher level, where the rider may experience new and/or more challenging game elements. Additionally or alternatively, the rider is driven to excel in the game to avoid dropping to the lower level, which may end the game. As shown, one or more lifts  30  may be provided adjacent to the exits  16 , and the ride vehicle  18  may be moved to another level (e.g., lowest level) to exit. In an embodiment, the maze attraction system  10  may include tracks (e.g., rollercoaster tracks) extending from each level to an exit level (e.g., ground level) and/or the lifts  30  that may carry the ride vehicle  18  to the exit level, and moving up to the upper level(s) during the game may result in a more thrilling drop via the tracks or the lifts  30  at the end of the game. 
       FIG. 2  is an embodiment of the maze attraction system  10  having the maze  12  at least partially defined by one or more movable walls  50 . In operation, the ride vehicle  18  carrying one or more riders may enter the maze  12  via the entrance  14  and may follow any of a variety of paths, such as a path  52 , to one of the exits  16 . As noted above, the ride vehicle  18  may be an automated vehicle that navigates through the maze  12  without direct control by the rider; however, the rider may affect which path the ride vehicle  18  takes through the maze  12  (e.g., via game performance). 
     The one or more riders may interact with an environment of the maze attraction system  10  (e.g., as part of a game). For example, as the ride vehicle  18  approaches a portion  54  (e.g., enclosed portion or dead-end) of the maze  12 , the one or more riders may select (e.g., using the input device of the ride vehicle  18 ) a first movable wall  50 ,  56  or a second movable wall  50 ,  58  to select the path forward. The one or more riders may select one of the movable walls  50  in any of a variety of manners, such as directly by hitting one or more targets  22  on one of the movable walls  50  using the input device of the ride vehicle  18  (e.g., which may give the effect of launching or breaking down the wall) or indirectly based on game performance prior to reaching the portion  54  of the maze  12  (e.g., at the second checkpoint  36 ). For example, if a score for the rider is above a wall threshold prior to reaching the portion  54 , the first movable wall  50 ,  56  may move to enable the ride vehicle  18  to move in the second direction  40  along the path  52 . However, if the score for the rider is below the wall threshold prior to reaching the portion  54 , the second movable wall  50 ,  58  may move to enable the ride vehicle  18  to move in the first direction  38  along a different path (e.g., the path  20  of  FIG. 1 ). Additional movable walls  50  (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more) may be positioned to block and enable passage to additional paths (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more) that diverge from the portion  54  of the maze  12 , and thus, multiple different wall thresholds may be utilized. 
     As noted above, the game performance may refer to any game performance, including a score and/or an outcome of one or more challenges. For example, the one or more riders may be presented with a challenge proximate to the portion  54  of the maze  12  (e.g., upstream of the portion  54  or while at a stop within the portion  54 ). In an embodiment, if the one or more riders succeeds in the challenge, the first movable wall  50 ,  56  may move to enable the ride vehicle  18  to move in the second direction  40  along the path  52 . However, if the rider fails in the challenge, the second movable wall  50 ,  58  may move to enable the ride vehicle  18  to move in the first direction  38 . In this way, the movable walls  50  may enable direct path selection by the one or more riders (e.g., by hitting targets  22  on one of the movable walls  50 ) and/or may enable indirect path selection by the one or more riders as the open path through the maze  12  changes based on game performance. 
     Some or all of the movable walls  50  may also be used as potential end points in the game. For example, if the score for the one or more riders is above a wall threshold prior to reaching another portion  64  (e.g., enclosed portion or dead-end) of the maze  12  (e.g., at a third checkpoint  66 ), a third movable wall  50 ,  68  may move to enable the ride vehicle  18  to continue to move along the path  52 . However, if the score for the rider is below the wall threshold prior to reaching the portion  64 , a fourth movable wall  50 ,  70  may move to reveal another exit and the ride vehicle  18  may be directed out of the maze  12 . It should be appreciated that the one or more riders may be presented with a challenge proximate to the portion  64  of the maze  12  (e.g., upstream of the portion  64  or while at a stop within the portion  64 ), and the movement of the third movable wall  50 ,  68  and/or the fourth movable wall  50 ,  70  may depend on the outcome of the challenge, as discussed above. For example, if the one or more riders succeeds in the challenge, the third movable wall  50 ,  68  may move to enable the ride vehicle  18  to continue along the path  52 . However, if the rider fails in the challenge, the fourth movable wall  50 ,  70  may move to reveal another exit and the ride vehicle  18  may be directed out of the maze  12 . Additional movable walls  50  may be provided at various other locations at which paths diverge and/or at various other potential end points within the maze  12  (e.g., a fifth movable wall  50 ,  72  and a sixth movable wall  50 ,  74 ). Thus, the ride vehicle  18  may move out of the maze  12  at different locations (e.g., based on the game performance), and the maze attraction system  10  may provide multiple different experiences for the one or more riders during repeat rides. 
       FIG. 3  is an embodiment of the maze attraction system  10  having the one or more lifts  30  shown in  FIG. 1  and the one or more movable walls  50  shown in  FIG. 2 . The one or more lifts  30  may be used in combination with the one or move movable walls  50  to provide a variety of experiences in the maze attraction system  10 . In operation, the ride vehicle  18  carrying one or more riders may enter the maze  12  via the entrance  14  and may follow any of a variety of paths, such as the path  52 , to one of the exits  16 . As noted above, the ride vehicle  18  may be an automated vehicle that navigates through the maze  12  without direct control by the one or more riders; however, the one or more riders may affect which path the ride vehicle  18  takes through the maze  12  (e.g., via game performance). 
     Operation of the one or more lifts  30  and/or movement of the movable walls  50  may be based on the game performance. The first lift  30 ,  32  may operate in the manner discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 . For example, the first lift  30 ,  32  may move the ride vehicle  18  out of the maze  12  based on the game performance (e.g., as measured at the first checkpoint  34 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the second lift  30 ,  42  is positioned proximate to movable walls  50 , such as at a point where multiple paths blocked by the first movable wall  50 ,  56  and the second movable wall  50 ,  58  diverge from one another. Thus, after reaching the second checkpoint  36 , the ride vehicle  18  may be directed in the first direction  38 , directed in the second direction  40 , lowered to the lower level, and/or raised to the upper level (e.g., based on the game performance, such as by comparing a score to respective thresholds and/or based on an outcome of a challenge). For example, a first score (e.g., highest score) may result in the ride vehicle  18  being raised to the upper level, a second score (e.g., a next highest score) may result in movement of the second movable wall  50 ,  58  to enable the ride vehicle  18  to travel in the first direction  38 , a third score (e.g., a next highest score) may result in movement of the first movable wall  50 ,  56  to enable the ride vehicle  18  to travel in the second direction  40 , and/or a fourth score (e.g., a lowest score) may result in the ride vehicle  18  being lowered to the lower level. 
     As noted above, the maze attraction system  10  may utilize any of a variety of more complex gaming rules to control the path of the ride vehicle  18  through the maze attraction system  10 . For example, if a score for the one or more riders is below a lift threshold when the ride vehicle  18  reaches the second lift  30 ,  42 , the ride vehicle  18  may be lowered to the lower level via the second lift  30 ,  42 . However, if the score for the one or more riders is above the lift threshold such that the ride vehicle  18  will not be lowered to the lower level by the second lift  30 ,  42 , then the one or more riders may be given the opportunity to select the path forward (e.g., by hitting targets  22  on either the first movable wall  50 ,  56  or the second movable wall  50 ,  58 ) or the one or more riders may be presented with a challenge. In such cases, the outcome of the challenge may be utilized to trigger movement of either the first movable wall  50 ,  56  or the second movable wall  50 ,  58 . For example, if the one or more riders succeeds in the challenge, the first movable wall  50 ,  56  may move to enable the ride vehicle  18  to travel in the second direction  40 . However, if the one or more riders fails in the challenge, the second movable wall  50 ,  58  may move to enable the ride vehicle  18  to travel in the first direction  38 . 
     As shown, one or more lifts  30  and one or more movable walls  50  may be positioned at various other locations in the maze  12 , including at other potential end points in a level of the game or in the game. In an embodiment, one of the one or more lifts  30  (e.g., a third lift  30 ,  80 ) may be utilized in lieu of the fourth movable wall  50 ,  70  to provide an exit from the maze  12 . In some such cases, if the score for the one or more riders is below a lift threshold prior to the portion  64  (e.g., at the third checkpoint  66 ), the ride vehicle  18  may be lowered to the lower level via the third lift  30 ,  80 . However, if the score for the one or more riders is above the lift threshold, the third movable wall  50 ,  68  may move to enable the ride vehicle  18  to continue to travel along the path  52 . 
     However, as shown, the third lift  30 ,  80  may be provided in addition to the fourth movable wall  50 ,  70  to provide additional possible paths once the ride vehicle  18  reaches the portion  64  of the maze  12 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, after reaching the portion  64  of the maze, the third movable wall  50 ,  68  may move to enable the ride vehicle  18  to continue to travel along the path  52 , the fourth movable wall  50 ,  70  may move to enable the ride vehicle  18  to exit the maze  12 , the ride vehicle  18  may be lowered to the lower level via the third lift  30 ,  80 , and/or the ride vehicle  18  may be raised to the upper level via the third lift  30 ,  80  (e.g., based on the game performance, such as by comparing a score to respective thresholds and/or based on an outcome of a challenge). Any of a variety of more complex gaming rules (e.g., combinations of points and challenges) may be utilized to control the path of the ride vehicle  18  at the portion  64  of the maze  12 . Similarly, one of the one or more lifts  30  (e.g., a fourth lift  30 ,  82 ) may be utilized in lieu of or in addition to the sixth movable wall  50 ,  74 . 
     It should be appreciated that the mazes  12  illustrated herein are merely exemplary and that the maze(s) utilized in the maze attraction system  10  may have any of a variety of configurations, including additional movable walls  50  and/or lifts  30 . It should also be appreciated that the one or more riders may provide a driving user input via a driving input device (e.g., steering wheel, button, touchscreen) on the ride vehicle  18  to guide at least some movements of the ride vehicle  18  within the maze  12 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the maze attraction system  10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the maze attraction system  10  may include one or more lifts  30  and one or more movable walls  50 . The illustrated lift  30  is a lift system that includes a platform  100 , an adjustable arm  102 , and a drive system  104 . In operation, the platform  100  may support the ride vehicle  18  as the drive system  104  adjusts the adjustable arm  102  between the illustrated extended position (e.g., raised position) and a retracted position (e.g., lowered position). In the extended position, the platform  100  may be aligned (e.g., along a vertical axis) and flush with a first floor  106  of an upper level  108 . In the retracted position, the platform  100  may be aligned (e.g., along the vertical axis) and flush with a second floor  110  of a lower level  112 . The lift  30  may be electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically driven (e.g., open a vent valve to move to the retracted position, then close the vent valve and re-pressurize to move to the extended position). In an embodiment, it may be desirable for some or all of the lifts  30  in the maze attraction system  10  to only lower the ride vehicle  18 , as raising the ride vehicle  18  may utilize larger and more expensive lift equipment (e.g., compared to lift equipment that only provides a controlled fall for the ride vehicle  18 ). 
     As illustrated, the movable wall  50  is a movable wall system that includes a wall panel  120 , a shaft  122 , and a drive system  124 . Although the wall panel  120  is shown as a flat wall panel, it should be appreciated that the wall panel  120  may have any of a variety of configurations (e.g., wavy, angled). In operation, the drive system  124  may drive the shaft  122  and the wall panel  120  (e.g., non-rotatably coupled to the shaft  122 ) to rotate (e.g., as shown by arrow  126 ) between the illustrated first position in which the wall panel  120  blocks travel of the ride vehicle  18  to a portion  130  of the upper level  108  and a second position in which the wall panel  120  enables travel of the ride vehicle  18  to the portion  130  of the upper level  108 . The movable wall  50  may be electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically driven (e.g., a drive shaft of an electric motor may drive rotation of the shaft  122 ). While the shaft  122  is shown extending along a horizontal axis proximate to an upper edge of the wall panel  120 , it should be appreciated the shaft  122  may extend along the horizontal axis proximate to a lower edge of the wall panel  120  (e.g., to rotate the wall panel  120  to lay against or flush with the first floor  106  of the upper level  108 ), or the shaft  122  may extend along a vertical axis proximate to either side of the wall panel  120  to rotate the wall panel  120 . Furthermore, various other mechanisms for moving the wall panel  120  are envisioned, such as a rolling system that rolls the wall panel  120  or a sliding system that slides the wall panel  120 . 
     During the ride, the one or more riders may be positioned in the ride vehicle  18 . The one or more riders may use an input device  132  to interact with the game environment to play a game as the ride vehicle  18  travels through the maze attraction system  10 . For example, the one or more riders may launch shells from the input device  132  or aim a laser beam emitted by the input device  132  toward one or more targets  22 , which may be physical targets mounted to one or more walls of the maze  12  or virtual targets displayed on or projected onto one or more walls of the maze  12 . In an embodiment, at least some of the one or more targets  22  may be on the wall panel  120  of the movable wall  50 . 
     An attraction controller  134  (e.g., electronic controller) may receive (e.g., via a wireless or wired connection) signals indicative of the interactions with the game environment (e.g., from the one or more targets  22 , from the input device  132 , and/or from a ride vehicle controller  136  [e.g., electronic controller]), and the attraction controller  134  may calculate a score for the one or more riders based on the signals. The attraction controller  134  may also compare the score to the respective thresholds discussed herein. Alternatively, the calculation and comparison may be performed by the ride vehicle controller  136  or other suitable processing device. 
     In an embodiment, the attraction controller  134  may generate control signals to instruct presentation of the one or more targets  22  throughout the maze  12 . The attraction controller  134  may also instruct presentation of one or more challenges to the one or more riders, such as a gaming battle displayed on or projected onto the wall panel  120  of the movable wall  50  (e.g., an integrated display of the wall panel  120 ), and the attraction controller  134  may determine an outcome of the one or more challenges as discussed herein. The attraction controller  134  may further instruct movement of the lift  30  and the movable wall  50  based on the game performance (e.g., the score and/or the outcome of the one or more challenges). 
     More particularly, the attraction controller  134  may include a memory device  138  and a processor  140  that enable the attraction controller  134  to control (e.g., via control signals) the drive system  104  of the lift  30 , the drive system  124  of the movable wall  50 , game elements (e.g., the targets  22  and any other displayed or projected content), and/or ride effects (e.g., animatronic characters, visual effects, audio effects). In an embodiment, the attraction controller  134  may also provide control signals to the ride vehicle controller  136  to control the movement of the ride vehicle  18  through the maze attraction system  10 . The ride vehicle controller  136  may include a memory device  142  and a processor  144 . 
     The attraction controller  134  and the ride vehicle controller  136  are part of a control system that coordinates movement of the various elements in the maze attraction system  10 . Furthermore, the various functions described herein may be divided between the attraction controller  134 , the ride vehicle controller  136 , and/or one or more other processing devices in any suitable manner. Additionally, the memory devices  138 ,  142  may include one or more tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media that store instructions executable by the processors  140 ,  144  and/or data (e.g., thresholds) to be processed by the processors  140 ,  144 . For example, the memory devices  138 ,  142  may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), rewritable non-volatile memory such as flash memory, hard drives, optical discs, and/or the like. Additionally, the processors  140 ,  144  may include one or more general purpose microprocessors, one or more application specific processors (ASICs), one or more field programmable logic arrays (FPGAs), or any combination thereof. Further, the memory devices  138 ,  142  may store instructions executable by the processors  140 ,  144  to perform the methods and control actions described herein for the maze attraction system  10 . 
     It should be appreciated that the maze attraction system  10  may include an augmented reality (AR) game environment that may be visualized and interacted with by the one or more riders. Some or all of the one or more riders may wear a visualization device (e.g., AR goggles or glasses) that may enable the one or more riders to visualize the AR game environment during operation of the maze attraction system  10 . For example, the AR game environment may include AR images (e.g., targets  22 ), and the one or more riders may use the input device  132  to launch AR shells at the AR images. In an embodiment, the elements of the game environment may include projection elements or virtual reality (VR) elements alone, or in combination with AR elements. 
     Furthermore, the maze attraction system  10  may receive (e.g., at the attraction controller  134 ) other data about the one or more riders, such as other attractions visited by the one or more riders, points collected by the one or more riders in other sections of the amusement park or theme park, and/or prior experiences (e.g., paths, scores) of the one or more riders in the maze attraction system  10 , for example. The data may be provided via a network between the various attractions in the amusement park or theme park and/or the data may be accessed from a database that collects and stores data from the various attractions in the amusement park or theme park. In an embodiment, the one or more riders may register at the beginning and/or end of each ride in the maze attraction system  10  and/or at each attraction in the amusement park or theme park (e.g., via a radio-frequency identification tag, which may be worn on a band or otherwise carried by the one or more riders) to facilitate collection and use of the data to enhance the maze attraction system  10 . For example, the attraction controller  134  may utilize the data to adjust the path of the ride vehicle  18  through the maze attraction system  10 , the game level, and/or the ride effects (e.g., to provide an enhanced experience for riders having accumulated points in other sections of the park and/or to avoid repeating a prior path through the maze attraction system  10 ). 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method  150  of operating the maze attraction system  10 . The method  150  disclosed herein includes various steps represented by blocks. It should be noted that at least some steps of the method  150  may be performed as an automated procedure by a system, such as the maze attraction system  10 . Although the flow chart illustrates the steps in a certain sequence, it should be understood that the steps may be performed in any suitable order and certain steps may be carried out simultaneously, where appropriate. Additionally, steps may be added to or omitted from the method  150 . Further, certain steps or portions of the method  150  may be performed by separate devices. For example, a first portion of a method  150  may be performed by the processor  140  of the attraction controller  134 , while a second portion of the method  150  may be performed by the processor  144  of the ride vehicle controller  136 . 
     In step  152 , the method  150  may begin by driving the ride vehicle  18  through the maze  12 . As discussed above, the ride vehicle  18  may be an automated vehicle that navigates through the maze  12  without direct control by the one or more riders. In step  154 , a game environment may be presented to the one or more riders in the ride vehicle  18  as the ride vehicle  18  travels along a path (e.g., the path  20  or the path  52 ) through the maze  12 . The game environment may include one or more targets  22  and/or one or more challenges (e.g., gaming battles and/or puzzles) within the maze  12 . In step  156 , a performance (e.g., a score and/or an outcome of the one or more challenges) of the one or more riders may be monitored. In step  158 , the one or more lifts  30  may be operated to move the ride vehicle  18  vertically between vertically-spaced levels based at least in part on the performance of the one or more riders in the game environment. In step  160 , one or more movable walls  50  may be adjusted based at least in part on the performance of the one or more riders in the game environment. By operating the one or more lifts  30  and/or the movable walls  50  based on the game performance, the maze attraction system  10  may provide an interactive ride and a variable experience during repeat rides. 
     While only certain features of present embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the disclosure. Further, it should be understood that certain elements of the disclosed embodiments may be combined or exchanged with one another. 
     The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).