The love-fest to all that is Disney, the D23 Expo, took place this weekend in Anaheim. And lo, much rejoicing rang through the halls as Disney revealed information ranging from Toy Story 4 to giving the audience their first glimpses of Dr. Strange and the next Captain America film. But that is a topic for a different conversation. Instead, let us turn our attention to a galaxy far, far away for this bit of information.
There is a little indie title that has been getting a lot of attention of late. Star Wars, I think it’s called. And there is a new movie coming out this holiday. Along with that film, though, are new video games.
Earlier this year, EA revealed the first bits of information concerning the long dormant Battlefront franchise in the form of Star Wars Battlefront. A mission-based action game being developed by Dice, fans excitedly awaited more information concerning the title. Despite the game being multi platform, all the marketing was centered around the PlayStation 4 version of the game (the game will also launch on the Xbox One and PC). EA had decided to partner with Sony and placed a bulk of its marketing power behind the PS4. But since the reveal of the game months ago, no one knew what more that partnership would entail. Would there be exclusive content? First to play?
After months of silence, it was finally unveiled: A Darth Vader-inspired PS4.
The system is black with an image of Darth Vader on the top of the console. To go along with the swanky new system will be a Darth Vader-inspired Dual Shock 4 controller. The controller buttons are colored to remind us of the colors of the lights seen on Vader’s chest piece, the touch pad is has “Star Wars” written all over it, the controller itself has a gloss reminiscent to the Dark One, himself.
These limited edition systems will come in two flavors. The first will be a Limited Edition Battlefront bundle. In it, you’ll get the Vader system and controller, the Deluxe Edition of Star Wars Battlefront, and a digital voucher to download 4 classic Star Wars games. These titles (Super Star Wars, Star Wars: Racer Revenge, Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter and Star Wars Bounty Hunter) will be the first time they’ve ever been playable on the PS4 and will also have enhanced graphics and Trophy Support.
The second Limited Edition bundle will be a Wal-Mart exclusive. Customers who buy that bundle will get the Vader-themed system and controller, the same digital voucher for the 4 classic Star Wars games, and the PlayStation 4 exclusive Disney Infinity 3.0: Star Wars Edition Hardware Bundle Kit. The kit includes a physical copy of Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition, the Disney Infinity Base, the Rise Against the Empire Play Set Pack (featuring Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa figures, as well the Rise Against the Empire Play Set piece), and the Boba Fett figure, exclusive to PlayStation through this holiday.
(As an aside, if you prefer your consoles more vanilla, PlayStation will also release a standard system bundle with a basic black console and controller, a copy of Star Wars Battlefront, and the digital voucher for the 4 games.)
Without any major 1st party offerings through this holiday, Sony is banking on the success of these 3rd party partnerships. Hopefully moves like these exclusives bundles will help sustain PlayStation’s lead though the critical Christmas Season.
Images: Sony
Grizzly Bomb 