About a year ago, we introduced you to Baron Von Opperbean and the River of Time, a bold immersive experience being brought to life on Mud Island. Fast forward to today, and it’s safe to say the adventure is still afloat, and it’s gearing up to redefine the future of Memphis tourism and creative culture.
From Vision to Reality: Progress at Lightning Speed
Since our last update, the team behind Baron Von Opperbean has been hard at work mapping out a gamified, interactive experience unlike anything Memphis—or frankly, the world—has seen.
“We’re refining the game design and mapping out the interactive components of the experience. This isn’t just immersive storytelling. Every guest gets a wristband that tracks their items, scores, and interactions. You’re not watching a story—you’re living it.”
What began as a dream has grown into a soon-to-be 8,000-square-foot alpha experience complete with AI characters, holograms, and play zones filled with slides, creatures, and monsters. As the team put it,
“We’re going beyond traditional theme parks or Meow Wolf-style installations. We’re building a full multiverse.”
Investing in Imagination: Fueling the Future
Currently in an early ramp-up phase, the project has already raised $350,000 in seed funding, largely thanks to support from WeFunder and the Memphis community. And the buzz is building.
“We’re beyond the seed phase and into a friends-and-family round. People used to say ‘I hope this happens.’ Now they say, ‘I’m so glad this is happening.’”
Though private investment is the main focus, community members can still pitch in through material donations and e-waste recycling. Have parts of a 1970s Cadillac? The team wants it for a future set piece. Check their blog for a list of items they’re collecting.
Mud Island: More Than a Backdrop
This project is a resurrection of one of Memphis’s most iconic but underutilized spaces. Once a major tourist hub, Mud Island has struggled in recent decades. But Mayor Paul Young, a longtime supporter of creative redevelopment, suggested this could be the perfect location, and he was right.
They’re also preserving history. The entire museum has been 3D scanned, and local institutions like the Pink Palace and Stax Museum have archived all the artifacts.
Memphis at the Center of the Multiverse
So why Memphis? For the creators of Baron Von Opperbean, it’s simple: This is a city of creators, risk-takers, and cultural pioneers.
“This is a new industry—location-based, immersive entertainment—and Memphis deserves to be on the map. It’s currently a $150 billion market that is expected to grow to $800 billion by 2033.”
With proximity to downtown, the riverfront, and the most popular Bass Pro Shop in the world, Mud Island is poised to become a hub again. And with Baron Von Opperbean leading the way, it could become a national destination for immersive tourism.
How to Get Involved
There are plenty of ways locals can help bring this vision to life:
Volunteer: Sign up via their Instagram @bvoexp for hands-on opportunities.
Donate: Check out their “Junk Donations” blog to contribute recycled materials.
Follow & Share: Help spread the word through social media and their newsletter.
Book Event Space: Corporate and community groups can now host gatherings on site.
