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4. Role-playing isn’t just for geeks

Concept art for Star Wars resort

Image: Disney

Theme parks like Walt Disney World already gingerly dip their toes into the realm of role playing. No one blinks an eye when kids play pretend, and little ones visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios already get a seriously fun chance to do so in the Jedi Training Academy.

Role playing in video games like Star Wars Galaxies and The Old Republic works similar to this, only opening the fun up to adults—basically, friends get together and come up with stories. You could think of it as collaborative writing or improv acting within a video game world. With their imaginations left to run wild, players come up with some seriously cool adventures when given leave to just cut loose and immerse in a shared world. Indeed, “immersion” is something of a sacred term among these communities.

One of Disney’s most ambitious projects for Star Wars land is the building of an entirely Star Wars themed resort. While this is a cool concept, it’s hardly unusual for Disney—only, this isn’t going to be just any resort.

Concept art for Star Wars resort with cantina

Image: Disney

According to Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, the Star Wars Resort will be, “unlike anything that exists today. From the second you arrive, you will become a part of a Star Wars story! You’ll immediately become a citizen of the galaxy and experience all that entails, including dressing up in the proper attire. Once you leave Earth, you will discover a starship alive with characters, stories, and adventures that unfold all around you. It is 100% immersive, and the story will touch every single minute of your day, and it will culminate in a unique journey for every person who visits.”

While guests can of course enjoy an experience like this as grinning tourists, the description of this resort is seriously a Star Wars geek’s dream. Star Wars movie premieres and comic conventions already inspire leagues of cosplayers like members of the 501st Legion. This resort will take the very concept that role-players use within games and bring it into real life in a crazy immersive environment. It’s the most delightfully geeky concept for a theme park attraction we’ve ever heard of, and we can’t wait to see what Disney comes up for this ground-breaking experience.

5. Video games as actual rides

We’ve mostly focused on ways that Disney may be pulling inspiration from video games for some of the concepts in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. There is one other notable connection between Disney’s Star Wars plans and video games though that is absolutely worth noting.

Disney already has a Star Wars attraction that is basically a video game on steroids.

Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire opened in December of 2017 as a special experience available to guests visiting Disney Springs. The multi-sensory attraction takes virtual reality to new heights as guest are—you guessed it—sent on a mission to infiltrate the Empire. The concept is basically a virtual reality spin on an escape room with interactive sets and a laser-tag element thrown in for good measure. It’s a video game in real life, and it’s a very exciting preview for what Disney may have in store for Galaxy’s Edge in the future. For gamers, it’s a future that looks extra exciting.

What other ways do you think Disney might pull inspiration from video games for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and future attractions?

 
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