Although GDC was remote this year, there was still an impressive lineup of speakers, showcases, and lectures about the newest innovations in the gaming industry. One such lecture was delivered by Anisha Deshmane, Associate Producer of Walt Disney Imagineering and one of the designers and producers for Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland. Although Disneyland is a physical theme park rather than a virtual game, the Imagineers drew a lot from video games to make Galaxy’s Edge a fully immersive experience and allow park guests to create their own personal stories within the land. I explored Galaxy’s Edge for the first time last December, and I can attest to its immersive environment—the realistic architecture, interactive cast members, and lifesize Millenium Falcon all made me feel transported to a galaxy far, far away. But during her lecture, Anisha previewed an impressive new technology that I think will take the experience to a whole new level: the Star Wars: Datapad mobile tool on the Disney Mobile Parks app.
Datapad cleverly leverages mobile technology to tell stories that go beyond the physical architecture of Blackspire Outpost, where Galaxy’s Edge is set. Using the app, guests can interact with over 250 physical touchpoints around the land and play quick, easy to play activities that reveal the realm’s culture, language, and people. For example, you can use the translate tool to decipher messages and signage in Arabesh, the common language used in the Star Wars universe. You can also hack into astromech droids and collect droid memories or star maps, or scan unique labels on shipping crates to see what’s inside. Some crates have precious cargo, so they have higher security measures and require you to construct an encryption key to unlock it. You can even use the Datapad to pick up signal transmissions from antennas to eavesdrop on cantina gossip and character conversations. These transmissions can reveal the backstories of the land itself, such as blaster fire marks from past battles. I appreciate how this app utilizes mobile technology while also getting guests to look up from their phones and interact with the physical land around them.
In my opinion, the most exciting feature of the Datapad is the job feature and character profile. You can decide what job you want to take on by chatting with characters who will assign you an objective to complete in the land. Finishing a job can earn you credits as well as affect your affiliation with either the Resistance or the First Order. There is a level of complexity to this, as helping or double crossing a character can influence your affiliation for better or for worse. Whatever you decide to do, your motivations are your own. No matter how you play, your affiliation and progress is all stored in your profile, which stays with you from visit to visit. It compiles your interests, whether it be ships, droids, or star maps, and also assigns you titles once you build enough skills—language enthusiasts can become Expert Linguists, and budding hackers can become Novice Slicers. Anisha emphasized that your profile is much more than a simple character creator; you have to earn your reputation over time through your actions. The most dramatic way you can affect Galaxy’s Edge is through Outpost Control—guests can hack into door panels throughout the land and install defenses for the Resistance, surveillance for the First Order, or data skimmers for the scoundrels. Whatever side has the majority win the fate of the outpost, and guests with that affiliation earn rewards.
As a huge Disney and Star Wars fan, I was completely blown away by the detailed sophistication and immersive potential of this new technology. People are always looking for new ways to make their trip to Disneyland a little more magical, and I can easily see people of all ages using this tool. Granted, the app experience may be different when the park is packed with crowds, but that won’t deter me from trying it on my next trip. This type of immersive storytelling speaks to my inner eight year old who wanted to live in the Star Wars universe, and as soon as Disneyland is safe to reopen, you can bet I’ll be one of the first in line with my Datapad in hand.
Check Out the Star Wars: Datapad on Play Disney Parks Video:
You can download the Play Disney Parks on the App Store and Google Play.
For more information, please visit: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disneyland/star-wars-galaxys-edge-play-app/
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From the moment I first played Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy on the original Xbox, I have always had an avid curiosity and enthusiasm for video games. I admire their ability to immerse us in completely different worlds, and I am always eager to see how they integrate the newest breakthroughs in digital technology to make virtual reality feel real. I am currently a senior at UC Berkeley, but when I'm not studying I always make time to play Xbox One with my younger brother.
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