New information regarding ILMxLAB’s cinematic Star Wars VR series arrives later this month.
Earlier today D23 Expo, Disney’s biennial fan event, announced that Lucasfilm’s ILMxLAB will be participating in a live panel during which members of the Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series production team, including Director Ben Snow, Senior Experience Designer Jose Perez III, and Lucasfilm Story Grou Creative Executive Matt Martin, will provide new details regarding Episode II of the three-part cinematic immersive series.
According to an official release, those in attendance will also catch an exclusive never-before-seen sneak peek at Episode II.
Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series – Episode II First Look
Friday, August 23, 2 p.m., Stage 28
Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series lets you become the hero of your own personal adventure as you step into the role of a Force-sensitive smuggler recruited by Darth Vader himself. Director Ben Snow, Senior Experience Designer Jose Perez III, and Lucasfilm Story Group Creative Executive Matt Martin take the stage for an in-depth discussion about the upcoming second episode, including an exclusive sneak peek that will be available only to those at D23 Expo.
Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series – Episode I made waves upon its release on the Oculus Quest back in May, offering players the chance to wield a lightsaber and battle alongside Vader, as well as learn more about the tragic life of the galaxies most feared Sith Lord. Whereas Episode I introduced players to intense lightsaber combat, ILMxLAB has already confirmed that Episode II will focus primarily on harnessing your untapped Force abilities.
“You will get to use the Force in Episode II,” said Snow during an interview with StarWars.com. “The first image is really part of the training. The way we thought about this was, we wanted to give you the Vader equivalent of Yoda teaching Luke about the Force in Empire Strikes Back. So we wanted it to be slightly darker and more twisted.”
“He talks about the power of the dark side as well as the things you can do with the Force. So in this moment that the concept art reveals, you see him starting to manipulate objects and he’s starting to show you how you can use the Force to create something. But then, of course, Vader takes it in his own direction.”
Disney’s D23 Expo takes place August 23-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Tickets are still available for purchase at the time of this writing.
Also present at the expo will be a unique VR Theater experience that puts users right in the middle of Disney’s biggest Broadway performances. Captured in immersive 360-degree video, attendees can join the Broadway casts of The Lion King, Frozen, and Alladin on-stage and enjoy the iconic music and captivating visuals from the celebrated properties.