Star Wars fans are in for arguably the most exciting thing to happen to the franchise since it’s conception. It’s called Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire and it is an all-immersive, hyper-realistic virtual reality experience coming to Star Wars Land in Disneyland. The experience is essentially a short film in which the viewer both watches and partakes in the action, fusing amusement park attraction with storytelling and the latest VR technology.
Secrets of the Empire is a collaboration between Lucasfilm’s ILMxLab and “hyper-reality” specialist VR company The Void, and they just released a first promotional video. The viewer goes undercover as a Stormtrooper on a Rebel mission, paired with Rogue One droid K-2SO as co-pilot.
The experience will allow guests to “walk freely and untethered throughout the multi-sensory experience with friends and family,” The Void announced in a press release. “In groups of four, teams will go undercover as Stormtroopers to capture Imperial intelligence vital to the budding rebellion’s survival.”
Guests are virtually transported to the molten planet Mustafar, where Darth Vader first dueled with Obi-Wan Kenobi. Outfitted with VR goggles, headphones, and a feedback vest that allows them to feel the impact of their surroundings, users go through this world using weapons, battling monsters, pushing buttons, opening doors, and interacting with their teammates. It is designed to feel super real and intense, and if we’re basing it off our initial impression, it certainly delivers.
Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire will debut at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando on December 16 and Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim on January 5. Tickets are already on sale and can be purchased now at TheVoid.com.