'Star Wars: Vader Immortal' pushes immersive VR experience | Inquirer Technology

‘Star Wars: Vader Immortal’ pushes immersive VR experience

/ 11:55 AM April 16, 2019

Star Wars VR

As with the original trilogy of ‘Star Wars,’ Darth Vader’s presence looms throughout “Vader Immortal”. Image: ILMxLAB via AFP Relaxnews

The “Star Wars” special effects studio Industrial Light and Magic has teamed up with virtual reality (VR) headset manufacturer Oculus to produce “Star Wars: Vader Immortal”. Footage from the first episode debuted at Star Wars Celebration 2019.

Staking a claim on a blend of elements from movie-style storytelling, theme park ride spectacle and video game lightsaber combat and training sequences, “Star Wars: Vader Immortal” received a first look during franchise fan expo Star Wars Celebration.

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As a trainee incarcerated inside Darth Vader’s fortress, “Vader Immortal” players are faced with the prospect of taking part in a targeted strike against the powerful Dark Lord, while being developed as an apprentice by Vader himself.

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Developed by ILMxLAB and Oculus Studio, “Vader Immortal” is destined for the company’s upcoming Oculus Rift S computer headset as well as standalone cordless visor Oculus Quest.

Though “Vader Immortal” was not given a release date at its Star Wars Celebration debut, the Rift S and Quest visors are expected to launch during Facebook’s two-day F8 2019 conference, running April 30 to May 1.

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The multi-part Vader VR project coincides with a general intensifying of interest in the “Star Wars” franchise as sequel trilogy closer “Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker” approaches its December 2019 theatrical release.

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Aside from a 10-minute “Star Wars” VR experiences “Trials on Tatooine” and “Droid Repair Bay”, Industrial Light and Magic division ILMxLAB had previously co-created Florida’s Walt Disney attraction “Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire”, in which participants attempt to steal Vader’s new lightsaber before it reaches its destination. Like “Vader Immortal”, it was set on the lava planet Mustafar.

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The “Vader Immortal” story mode, written by David S. Goyer of the “Dark Knight” Batman trilogy and “Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire”, is to run between 45 minutes and an hour in length, with a Lightsaber Dojo offering open-ended play.

Vader is voiced by Scott Lawrence of television series “Star Wars Resistance” and numerous video game tie-ins stretching back to 1994’s “Star Wars: TIE Fighter”, with Maya Rudolph of “Big Mouth” and “The Good Place” as droid co-pilot and accomplice ZOE3. CE/MKH

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TOPICS: Oculus VR, Star Wars, virtual reality, VR game
TAGS: Oculus VR, Star Wars, virtual reality, VR game

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