En garde, Darth!

Ever wanted to go one-on-one with Darth Vader in a duel of light sabers?

Lenovo, which produced the first augmented reality-equipped smartphone device, and Disney are teaming up for a Star Wars experience in AR just in time for the next Star Wars movie, which premiers in December.It’s “The Last Jdi.” Release date is Dec. 15.

“Star Wars: Jedi Challenges” was unveiled Thursday just ahead of Friday’s “Force Day,” which will feature the launch of an amry of new Star Wars products.

(Check out video of new Star Wars drones at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAXGH0M0SKk )

The set includes a lightsaber controller “modeled after the one wielded by Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, and Rey.” It “acts as a controller and pointer, allowing players to navigate the user interface, with all controls, actions and commands activated with a simple two-button configuration.

“We believe augmented reality will usher in a new era of storytelling and play an important role in the experiences we create for our fans,” said Kyle Laughlin, Senior Vice President, Games and Interactive Experiences at Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. “With Star Wars: Jedi Challenges, we’re bringing together the latest technology and one of the most recognized franchises in the galaxy to fulfill the wishes of anyone who’s ever wanted to wield a lightsaber or take on empire forces on the battlefield.”

The package “allows fans to experience Star Wars in ways never before possible,” Lenovo and Disney say.

Jedi Challenges combines a smartphone-powered Lenovo Mirage AR headset, Tracking Beacon, Lightsaber controller, plus hours of Star Wars gameplay.

The package is compatible for both Android and Apple phones with products promised to be available for holiday shoppers.

“With Star Wars: Jedi Challenges, Lenovo and Disney are bringing Star Wars to fans in ways they could previously only imagine,” says Jeff Meredith, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Lenovo Consumer PCs and Smart Devices. “Augmented reality has always been an important part of Star Wars, and it’s exciting to bring these key moments to life by marrying Lenovo technology with Disney’s storytelling.”

Wanna-be Jedi will receive training types from a new Star Wars character called the Archivist.

In a variety of scenarios, players “will train to perfect their lightsaber skills by taking on some of the most menacing villains the dark side has to offer, command armies in combat missions to defeat the Empire, and outwit their opponents in Holochess, all in augmented reality,” Lenovo says.

Game features include:

  • Lightsaber Battles. With their very own lightsaber, fans can train against legendary dark side villains like Kylo Ren and Darth Vader.
  • Strategic Combat. Players marshal the forces of the Republic, Rebel Alliance, and Resistance against the might of the Separatists, Empire, and First Order in epic battles across their living room floors. Players can hone their skills in strategy and tactics as they engage in battles.
  • Holochess. Perhaps one of the most iconic board games brought to film, Holochess first leapt into moviegoer hearts when it was played on the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. It has now been brought to life in Jedi Challenges. Fans can direct their holographic alien pieces across the board, wrestling for territory and control.

More coverage:

Watch a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDC7uAkWv_M

Full Lenovo-Disney announcement:

http://news.lenovo.com/news-releases/star-wars-jedi-challenges-new-smartphone-powered-augmented-reality-experience-launching-this-holiday.htm