This morning at the Las Vegas Hilton, home to "Star Trek: The Experience," a prelude to an invasion took place. A Borg Invasion in 4D, to be precise.

Paramount Parks made the formal announcement today that the latest addition to Star Trek-themed attractions will be the "Borg Invasion 4D." Promised to be an innovative, immersive entertainment that will feature stars from Star Trek: Voyager and "Star Trek: First Contact," this new attraction looks to break some new ground featuring the best audio/visual technology that is available today. "Borg Invasion" will feature the largest number of sensory effects choreographed with a 3D film, including atmospheric and hydraulic effects, physical probes, pneumatic actuators, and an array of audio transducers.

On hand to present the new attraction was none other than Robert Picardo ("The Doctor"), who, after giving an introduction to the trailer, emerged from behind the stage with several other Borg. Unfortunately for Picardo, he was showing telltale signs of assimilation.

Following the presentation, a recovered Picardo talked to STARTREK.COM and gave a small hint of the setup for the attraction. "The Doctor is now doing research at the Copernicus Research Station, which is a science and research medical facility and he's doing research on genetic predispositions to resistance against disease and such things as Borg nanoprobes etc. And during this, the research station has a surprise attack while he's conducting his research."

Picardo describes how the audience members provide assistance to the Doctor; they are literally his test subjects. What happens to the audience members is nothing short of total assimilation. Almost. As the visitors tour the futuristic research facility, the drones of the Borg collective attempt to capture and assimilate them using 24th century cybernetic technology. 3D and 4D effects will merge in chilling realization of state-of-the-art technology to provide an all-immersive tactile experience for visitors to the attraction.

Of note: this will be the first time any Star Trek attraction has been rendered in 3D/4D.

The new "Borg Invasion 4D" is scheduled to open at the Las Vegas Hilton in Spring 2004. Star Trek: The Experience will remain open during construction.