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…
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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…