The storytelling potential of VR is pretty fascinating, as I noted with Allumette during the Tribeca Film Festival. A virtual headset can give you this unique feeling of immersion that allows you to interact with the story. If used right, this sense of participation can be integral to the experience of the story, and a reason to revisit/replay the story for a new experience.
Lucasfilm is going to do their own Star Wars VR project, and its going to center on Darth Vader. David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, Man of Steel) has been tapped to write the project. According to Lucasfilm creative executive Pablo Hidalgo, the story will be canonical, so Darth Vader probably won’t be working an office job or going to the grocery store or anything.
One unique aspect of the Darth Vader VR project is the space the story takes place in. According to The Verge:
The experience will take place in a ‘persistent’ world, one that cycles through day and night, has evolving weather conditions, and continues to go on even after the ‘visitor’ has gone through the story for the first time.
The VR project may not be out for another year or two, so you’ll probably just have to content yourself with taping a tablet to your face and having your creepy uncle breathe heavy into your ear.
[The Verge via Slate]
