Star Wars Celebration Chicago: Vader Immortal VR series revealed

Star Wars Celebration Chicago took a trip to the Dark Side of the Force for the best look yet at Vader Immortal, a new VR story on its way.

How do you introduce a story based on one of film’s most iconic villains? You show his castle; you hear his breathing; you have him walk in and speak in that memorable voice. That’s what Star Wars Celebration Chicago did with Vader Immortal before the panel began.

“Vader Immortal is a VR series,” David S. Goyer confirmed. “You have a personal relationship with Vader … and it’s very scary.” Next up came the confirmation that this is about “Vader at home” and a story for a different era of Vader: “just before A New Hope,” per Ben Snow, director of the game.

Vader Immortal will be coming to both Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift VR, meaning that the setting and world is open. It is officially taking place on Mustafar, where his castle is canonically located, and the concept art shown was dark — but with the lava glowing. It’ll dive deep into his story, including motivations and why he returned to the site of Anakin Skywalker’s darkest defeat.

“You’re gonna feel like you’re in danger,” host Amy Ratcliffe said, referring to both the character and the environment. Lucasfilm Story Group representative Matt Martin said, “This has really allowed us to explore Mustafar.” The game will expand more on the story of the planet, too.

The debut trailer for Episode I then was shown. It seems like your character will be doing some work for Vader, with mentions of a “candidate.” “You are the one I’ve been searching for. Do as I command,” Vader’s voice says. Your character will also get to use a lightsaber. The tagline: “Fate has chosen you.”

Check it out below:

Goyer then explained: “You are the captain of a smuggling ship called the Windfall, sort of a ne’er-do-well, and your first mate is the levitating robot […] You’ve been through a lot of scraps, and you end up being shanghaied […] The story is about why Vader has chosen you.”

Said droid companion, ZO-E3, is voiced by Maya Rudolph, and she has done quite a bit of improv in creating the character.

Three of the other characters include two Mustafarian natives, one of whom is a priestess, as well as an Imperial commander who is also a cyborg.

Narrative designer Mohen Leo talked about how “everything around you is Star Wars” when it comes to this experience. Goyer pointed out that although yes, Vader is menacing in the game, “we do get inside his head a little.” Leo said that we might even get to learn “some of his secrets” as things progress — and hidden within the castle, too. Snow mentioned that some exploration is indeed possible.

For those who have played Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire, it precedes Vader Immortal, and they’re connected. (The panelists didn’t spoil it, so we won’t either.) “This experience is much more robust,” Goyer emphasized, with episodes apparently running “45 minutes to an hour.” There are also ties to the latest Darth Vader comic, so you might need to be re-reading.

Also strongly emphasized was that you are the protagonist, especially by Slevin, who talked about how much “agency” is the goal when it comes to Vader Immortal. It sounds like there’s actually a dojo to use for lightsaber battles.

Snow said that we’ll have to wait until Episode II to really develop any skills with the Force in VR, but lightsabers are in Episode I. A green one was shown in the trailer, but a blue saber appeared in a piece of what appeared to be concept art shown during the panel. Perhaps you’ll be able to choose your lightsaber color? Customization would be lovely.

The panel wrapped with another look at the trailer, and with all of the insights brought at the panel, it’s even better the second time around.

“It’s not a movie, it’s not a ride, it’s not a game,” Snow pointed out midway through, although there are bits and pieces of all those mediums present in Vader Immortal. Whatever it is, we’re not ready for Episode I to launch later this year.