Seven years ago today, Star Wars put Darth Vader in your personal space. Released on May 21, 2019, Vader Immortal: Episode I launched alongside the Oculus Quest and gave Star Wars gaming one of its strangest experiments: a canon VR story built less around “beating” Darth Vader and more around surviving the deeply unpleasant experience of standing near him. That sounds like a small thing. It was not. Because in VR, Vader is not just a character on a screen. He is tall. He is close. He is breathing. And suddenly, all those jokes about Imperial workplace culture feel much less funny when the office manager is eight feet of black armor and unresolved trauma. A Star Wars Story Built for Presence Developed by ILMxLAB, Vader Immortal was structured as a three-part VR adventure set on Mustafar. Episode I introduced players as a smuggler pulled into Vader’s orbit, with ancient…
Vader Immortal
Celebrating 7 Years Since the Reveal of Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series
Seven years ago today, Lucasfilm and ILMxLAB pulled back the curtain on a project that would change the way fans experienced the galaxy far, far away: Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series. First announced in 2018, this groundbreaking title fused virtual reality technology with cinematic storytelling, inviting players to step inside Darth Vader’s dark domain like never before. A New Way to Step Into Star Wars When Vader Immortal was revealed, the idea of a fully interactive Star Wars story built for VR felt revolutionary. Instead of simply watching the action, players would live it: This wasn’t just a tech demo—it was a full-fledged Star Wars adventure. A Closer Look at the Story Players took on the role of a Force-sensitive smuggler drawn to Mustafar, the molten planet that serves as Darth Vader’s lair. Guided by the droid companion ZO-E3 (voiced by Maya Rudolph), you explored Vader’s fortress, uncovered…
Six Years of Star Wars: Vader Immortal – Episode I: How a VR Sith Lord Changed the Galaxy
It’s Been Six Years Since Darth Vader Reached Out and Almost Force-Choked You in VR Time flies when you’re deflecting blaster bolts with a virtual lightsaber. Today marks six years since Star Wars: Vader Immortal – Episode I was released, and honestly? We’re still not over it. Back in May 2019, ILMxLAB dropped players straight into the boots of a smuggler with a mysterious Force-sensitive lineage, handed them a lightsaber, and let them meet Darth Vader—face to (terrifying) face. It was ambitious, cinematic, and for many, it was the moment that VR went from “cool tech demo” to “this is the future of Star Wars storytelling.” Let’s take a walk down Mustafar memory lane. The Birth of a VR Experiment That Actually Worked Let’s be real: not every VR experience hits the mark. But Vader Immortal was different. Instead of focusing on arcade gimmicks or wave shooters, Episode I set…
Star Wars VR Games Are on Sale for May the 4th — Lightsabers, Starfighters, and Big Discounts Await
Strap on your headset and polish your imaginary droid because the galaxy is on sale—and it’s virtual. May the 4th is here again, and with it comes a glorious opportunity to swing lightsabers, pilot X-wings, and high-five holograms in glorious VR. It’s like stepping into the Star Wars universe, except without having to worry about sand. (Which, as we all know, is coarse and gets everywhere.) To celebrate this intergalactic holiday, multiple Star Wars VR titles are getting deep discounts across platforms like Meta Quest, PS VR2, and Steam. Whether you’ve been eyeing Vader Immortal, itching for a space dogfight in Squadrons, or just want to hang out with a pinball table that glows like a lightsaber, now’s the time to act. The deals are only here for a limited time, so prepare your credits—or whatever Earth currency you use—and let’s explore which virtual adventures are worth jumping into this…