The iconic Star Wars franchise is set to return in a big way later this month with the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the first new movie in the main series for over a decade. As expected, merchandise for the new title is just about everywhere, from new videogames to comic books and more. Star Wars is also heading to virtual reality (VR), with a new VR component added to the official Star Wars app this week. To complement this release, Verizon is launching official Star Wars: The Force Awakens Google Cardboard units this month.
Google Cardboard itself is a concept for a smartphone-based head-mounted display (HMD) mostly comprised of household materials. Seen above, the four new editions of the unit on sale from Verizon feature both classic and new and new Star Wars characters including a Stormtrooper and R2-D2 as well as the antagonist of the latest film, Kylo Ren, and a new droid character BB-8. The units don’t appear to be available online, but those interested can find a Verizon store that’s stocking them via a new website.
Star Wars fans can expect to see plenty more VR experiences based around the iconic series in the coming months and years as the technology finally reaches the consumer market and continues to grow in popularity. Earlier in the year a new division of Industrial Light and Magic, Industrial Light and Magic Experience Lab (ILMxLAB), was set up and is applying various new technologies to iconic Lucas franchises and more. This includes a VR title in which players can steer one of the series’ famous speeder bikes using a smartphone and even a story-based experience that allows players to step into the shoes of characters. VR was even used in filming the next spin-off movie, Star Wars: Rogue One.
For all of the latest updates on VR experiences based on the Star Wars franchise, keep reading VRFocus.
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