UPDATED 23:23 EDT / JULY 16 2017

APPS

Disney is bringing ‘Star Wars’ to augmented reality

“Star Wars” fans may soon know what it’s like to wield a lightsaber, thanks to a new augmented reality game.

The company announced at D23, its annual expo, that it’s teaming up with Lenovo Group Ltd. to create a series of AR experiences that will include turning your living room into an intergalactic standoff with rebel forces.

At the moment, details are lean as to what the headset will be capable of in terms of gaming, although the intention is to bring about the kind of immersive experience that Microsoft Corp. demonstrated a couple of years ago with its HoloLens and Minecraft.

The major difference in terms of hardware is that HoloLens is a self-sufficient system, whereas Disney’s “Star Wars: Jedi Challenges” will link up to a smartphone. That should at least make the experience affordable. Right now it’s unknown if the headset will run other AR or VR games or if it’s designed for “Star Wars” alone.

The company also showed off a game in which Jedi were pitted against the famous All Terrain Armored Transport. But given the slow development of AR gaming, a full-on “Star Wars” experience in the living room might be a way off yet.

If striking down stormtroopers is not your thing, Disney also demoed a holochess game whose pieces are holographic monsters that move around on top of a real-world surface.

Disney hasn’t given any details as to when we’ll see the headset or how much it will cost, only saying that it’s coming soon.

Image: Disney

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