Berlin, Germany, August 31 — Lenovo and Disney reveal new AR product to give their fans a realistic lightsaber fighting experience. The Star Wars: Jedi Challenges bundle consists of a smartphone-powered Lenovo Mirage AR headset, Tracking Beacon, Lightsaber controller, and original Star Wars gameplay.
Starting today, German visitors of their website can pre-order this package for €299.99 and they plan to ship these pre-orders in mid-November 2017. Pricing and availability will change from country to country and more regions are to follow shortly. The solution is not tied to a Motorola smartphone and can also run on other Android and iOS devices.
What’s happening?
We are here in Berlin for the IFA, accompanying Lenovo for a couple of days and now finally got more information on the previously teased Star Wars: Jedi Challenges, which they are introducing tonight in cooperation with Disney.
This new solution works with multiple sensors and optical systems that immerse you into feeling like a Jedi Knight. Perhaps in the future, there will be other games and solutions for this kind of technology but as of now there are no confirmations of any more content to come. The apps that drive the content are pushed out by Disney – the hardware solution is provided by Lenovo.
Beyond using this kind of gear for entertainment only, there is still space in construction, enterprise, and other industries that could easily benefit from such technologies.
Features
Star Wars: Jedi Challenges by Lenovo will offer you several game modes. Of course, you’ll get the full lightsaber fighting experience and battle villains like Darth Vader Darth, Maul and Kylo Ren but that’s not all.
Another interesting feature is a tactical mode in which you command forces from a bird’s eye view in a way we remember from game franchise Command & Conquer but with an AR/motion twist.
As an additional goodie, you will be able to play “Holochess” (also known by the name Dejarik) as you know it from the legendary match between R2-D2 and Chewbacca as it happened on board of the Millennium Falcon.
Specs
There have been motion gaming solutions before and there have been AR game concepts before. This package here, however, includes all these aspects and adds a whole new feeling to playing games. And, of course, didn’t we all pretend to be lightsaber fighting before? Put your practice to good use now or start as Jedi novice.
Currently supported smartphones
They stated to extend the list of compatible devices soon but as of now, Lenovo confirmed that their Star Wars AR experience will work with the iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, Google Pixel XL, Google Pixel, and Moto Z.
Leadership insights
“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.”
“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, 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.”
YouTube: Star Wars: Jedi Challenges – AR Game by Lenovo and Disney
Photo credit: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo press release
Editorial notice: Lenovo has invited us to the launch event and offered a surrounding program of activities. They provided for transportation, hotel cost, and meals.
