Star Wars is launching a free virtual reality (VR) game called Trials on Tatooine on Steam on July 18.
Trials on Tatooine is set in the Star Wars universe and has been created by ILMxLAB. The Star Wars game has been developed under the guidance of Rob Bredow, the chief technology officer at Lucasfilm.
During the Star Wars Celebration Europe, ILMxLAB announced the release date for the game.
"ILMxLAB is bringing its critically (and fan) acclaimed VR experiment, Trials on Tatooine, to Steam VR for free. Starting Monday, July 18, anyone with an HTC Vive VR headset will be able to become a Jedi Padawan as you enjoy an experience never before available in your own home," says a Star Wars blog.
Star Wars enthusiasts should note that Trials on Tatooine is not a full game, but rather a VR experiment, which offers cinematic VR experience in the Star Wars universe. Gamers will have a lightsaber in their hands and will be tasked to fight Stormtroopers and defending R2-D2.
The VR experience of Trials on Tatooine is short but offers impressive graphics, which makes players feel they are really holding a lightsaber and fighting enemies in the fictional desert planet of Tatooine.
Don't get too excited, though, as Trials on Tatooine is just a project that's meant to test VR technology. It remains unclear if Lucasfilm is also planning to develop a full-fledged Star Wars VR game based on the experiment.
The American space opera franchise has a huge fan following, so immersing in the Star Wars universe with the HTC Vive will be a great experience for Star Wars enthusiasts. Given the popularity of the franchise, it is highly likely that Trials on Tatooine will receive high popularity when it's launched, especially for free, on Steam.
A number of VR headsets such as Sony PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and more are available in the market. However, in the U.S. the HTC Vive has a steep price tag of $799 and is among one of the most expensive VR headsets out there. Many Star Wars enthusiasts and other gamers who do not have a VR headset or own a VR headmount other than the HTC Vive will be disappointed as the game will be offered only to HTC Vive owners — hopefully for now.
It remains to be seen if Trials on Tatooine will be made available for other VR headsets in the near term.
Check out ILMxLAB's game trailer below.
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