Star Trek Recruiting Center

The anchor IP and land for the proposed $1.5 billion theme park resort in Aqaba, Jordan Red Sea Astrarium was based on the JJ Abrams reboot of Star Trek. Paramount led the design development for this indoor "land", featuring a marquee simulator attraction, along with smaller attractions, dining venues, interactive exhibits and an upcharge immersive experience on the bridge of The Enterprise.

Daren served as Creative Director for the bridge experience and for the land's "hub", an interactive gaming zone. For the bridge experience visitors would select a role (Science Officer, Helmsperson, Weapons Officer, etc.) and partake in a brief training experience so they entered the bridge prepared. Costumes would be available for rent for those that didn't already come dressed for the part. During a 20-30 minute experience (somewhat based on the classic "Kobayashi Maru" scenario from Star Trek lore) each guest would actually affect the outcome, led by a Captain (cast member) who could effectively guide the group. The entire show would run on a video game engine so their decisions and control inputs would directly impact the outcome, which may succeed or fail. At the end of the experience all participants take part in the climatic battle sequence, manning defensive and offensive positions on the bridge.

For the "hub", the attraction was designed as a "Recruiting Center", so like a job fair, the guests could visit vignettes and participate in interactive games from communications to starship piloting. All physical space was designed and laid out.