How Galaxy’s Edge Changed Immersive Entertainment
For this guy’s money, Forbes is an excellent source for entertainment/theme park news. Yes, I typed “Forbes.” Case in point, a recent pair of articles about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge by Megan duBois:
- Disney Continues To Capitalize On Galaxy’s Edge With Games, Merchandise, And More
- How Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Changed IP Based Theme Park Lands Forever
Positive Spin On Galaxy’s Edge
After a year of stories retching doom and gloom over the idea and reality that became Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, here are two full of – praise, promise; IDK, excitement. Honestly, you could have blown me over with a porg feather.
Firstly, Ms. duBois listed some factors in Galaxy’s Edge’s favor:
- The twin lands reportedly costs Disney $1 billion each, and brought in thousands of jobs to both domestic Disney resorts. Now, a year after Galaxy’s Edge debuted, Disney continues to capitalize on the success of the new land with in-world games, merchandise, and more.
- The latest announcement to feature Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is from Electronic Arts EA -1% as an expansion pack for the Sims 4. The game allows players to create their own avatar and travel from their home to the fictional Star Wars planet Batuu.
- Another way Disney has capitalized on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is through books that feature the land and its characters. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge A Crash of Fate explains more of the backstory of the planet Batuu, which is on the edge of the galaxy before wild space. Galaxy’s Edge: Black Spire introduces readers to the in-world character Vi Moradi, who can actually be seen inside the Disney parks. Star Wars: Myths and Fables has two stories based on Batuu.
Secondly, of course, there is Target:
This new product line is called Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Trading Post, and features products inspired by the theme park land. There are over 100 new products including toys inspired by Toydarian Toymaker, customizable droids inspired by the Droid Depot (which cost $100 in the land), and lightsabers inspired by Savi’s Workshop (which cost $200 in the land).
Changing Theme Park Topography
Meanwhile, duBois also wrote about the changes ushered into theme parks by Batuu.
And, finally, she also posted about what comes next:
Avengers Campus, the newest land expansion at the Disneyland Resort.
Ha, I started off by saying, “For my money…” Nope, it’s Disney’s money. I’ll see you at Oga’s.
Seriously, though. Read the two pieces. There’s a long game, here. Disney holds the cards.