Am I the only one that is unimpressed with SWGE - where is the juice?

[MarkinNM]

Once again Star Wars is MUCH, MUCH MORE then Han, Luke, Darth Vader, the so called "classic" characters. Star Wars is a universe, much like Star Trek is MORE then Captain Kirk, Spock, look at the many SW comics, they have such details and so many different varied characters, I for one would have been disappointed if this was a Darth Vader-Han-Luke world, that limits the capabilities as to what this can become. So as much as those who want this the "classic" SW's, Galaxy Edge is a small, tiny part of the Star Wars universe and am happy I can walk it, live it, feel it in away that could not be done before, its time to move on from the 70's guys......

And for the last time Disney does not owe Lucas one cent for anything in the SW deal.....

In October 2012 George Lucas sold Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion. When he sold Lucasfilm he also sold his rights to directly make money off new Star Wars projects (and Indiana Jones projects, etc.). He would be entitled to some royalties under Writer's Guild rules for creating the original characters.

Part of the deal was in Disney stock and while George Lucas will not be paid directly, he will indirectly gain when Disney stock rises due to the success of the Star Wars franchise. So he does have a VERY large investment into it and does care about the success of SW. I continually say this while the newer movies may not be to some liking, I still say JJ Abrams ruined is as much as Disney for letting him have so much creative control...

 

[DLgal]

The way it was explained in the Galaxy's Edge infomercial....

The rationale for creating a new land, was to give visitors an opportunity to create a new story, rather than stepping into an existing story, or I think the wording was, "Stepping into someone else's story."

I get that. I just don't think that's what people wanted. Its okay to admit that they underestimated the appeal of the average park guest to "create their own story." Besides, what does this even mean? It seems like a really obscure concept that doesn't translate well to an actual theme park visit. How many different "stories" can one create when the available experiences are so limited (and costly)? It's not like the land is some huge choose your own adventure playground where you can literally have different experiences depending on decisions you make. It's just gift shops and restaurants and one ride. What kind of story can you realistically create?

This is kind of making me think about Super Nintendo World at Universal Japan (I'm using this as the example because we have details about this one and it's well underway, construction wise). Supposedly, there will be an element of game play in this land where guests have wristbands that allow them to literally play as they explore. This land is supposed to make you feel like you are actually in the video game. You will get to drive a kart in Mario Kart. Ride on Yoshi through a world (like Mario does in the game), ride a mine cart coaster through Donkey Kong themed land. You will be able to walk through warp pipes, hit question blocks and earn coins, meet Nintendo characters, eat in a cafe themed to look like a toadstool. THIS sounds like an immersive land where you can truly live an adventure, and where your actions can earn you points that you can then translate to your real life video gameplay (rumors of a link to Nintendo Switch gameplay with the wristbands)

I'm sorry, but Universal clearly understands how to create these kinds of immersive worlds and Disney's 2 attempts so far, to me, have fallen flat. Pandora and SWGE are visually appealing, but that's about it. There is little substance to them, particularly SWGE (at least Pandora has interactive plants and a couple live shows).

Besides, "stepping into someone else's story" has been Disney's "M.O." since Disneyland, 1955. It is what they do best. Why change things up now? They are being shortsighted.

 

[MarkinNM]

Need to think out of the bubble man, think bigger......

 

[yulilin3]

I get that. I just don't think that's what people wanted. Its okay to admit that they underestimated the appeal of the average park guest to "create their own story." Besides, what does this even mean? It seems like a really obscure concept that doesn't translate well to an actual theme park visit. How many different "stories" can one create when the available experiences are so limited (and costly)? It's not like the land is some huge choose your own adventure playground where you can literally have different experiences depending on decisions you make. It's just gift shops and restaurants and one ride. What kind of story can you realistically create?

This is kind of making me think about Super Nintendo World at Universal Japan (I'm using this as the example because we have details about this one and it's well underway, construction wise). Supposedly, there will be an element of game play in this land where guests have wristbands that allow them to literally play as they explore. This land is supposed to make you feel like you are actually in the video game. You will get to drive a kart in Mario Kart. Ride on Yoshi through a world (like Mario does in the game), ride a mine cart coaster through Donkey Kong themed land. You will be able to walk through warp pipes, hit question blocks and earn coins, meet Nintendo characters, eat in a cafe themed to look like a toadstool. THIS sounds like an immersive land where you can truly live an adventure, and where your actions can earn you points that you can then translate to your real life video gameplay (rumors of a link to Nintendo Switch gameplay with the wristbands)

I'm sorry, but Universal clearly understands how to create these kinds of immersive worlds and Disney's 2 attempts so far, to me, have fallen flat. Pandora and SWGE are visually appealing, but that's about it. There is little substance to them, particularly SWGE (at least Pandora has interactive plants and a couple live shows).

Besides, "stepping into someone else's story" has been Disney's "M.O." since Disneyland, 1955. It is what they do best. Why change things up now? They are being shortsighted.

The second sentence in this argument is enough for me to stop reading : " I just don't think that's what people wanted" what people? I, along with many other enjoy the land in it's current for immensely. Why group up "people" you can say "this is not what I wanted" and that would make more sense. Please sop generalizing which is the problem I've had with this argument from the start.
Just because I like it doesn't mean everyone needs to.
But I read along...
The story that I can create is an infinite one, I can be my own made up character inside Batuu and return and keep portraying that character, or if I choose, I can create an entirely new person and visit with a new outlook, the possibilities are endless as long as you dive in and imagine.
Disney has completely stepped outside of their box of creating a land/attraction for the guests to view, they are now creating a land and experiences for you to become part of. I know not everyone will want to do that, and you don't have to if you are so inclined, but some people like to free themselves and play along in a park that's all about playing along.
Again, all of your thoughts on Pandora and SWGE are you thoughts and are not anyone else's. Please for the sake of argument stop generalizing that.

 

[Jennasis]

I get that. I just don't think that's what people wanted. Its okay to admit that they underestimated the appeal of the average park guest to "create their own story." Besides, what does this even mean? It seems like a really obscure concept that doesn't translate well to an actual theme park visit. How many different "stories" can one create when the available experiences are so limited (and costly)? It's not like the land is some huge choose your own adventure playground where you can literally have different experiences depending on decisions you make. It's just gift shops and restaurants and one ride. What kind of story can you realistically create?

This is kind of making me think about Super Nintendo World at Universal Japan (I'm using this as the example because we have details about this one and it's well underway, construction wise). Supposedly, there will be an element of game play in this land where guests have wristbands that allow them to literally play as they explore. This land is supposed to make you feel like you are actually in the video game. You will get to drive a kart in Mario Kart. Ride on Yoshi through a world (like Mario does in the game), ride a mine cart coaster through Donkey Kong themed land. You will be able to walk through warp pipes, hit question blocks and earn coins, meet Nintendo characters, eat in a cafe themed to look like a toadstool. THIS sounds like an immersive land where you can truly live an adventure, and where your actions can earn you points that you can then translate to your real life video gameplay (rumors of a link to Nintendo Switch gameplay with the wristbands)

I'm sorry, but Universal clearly understands how to create these kinds of immersive worlds and Disney's 2 attempts so far, to me, have fallen flat. Pandora and SWGE are visually appealing, but that's about it. There is little substance to them, particularly SWGE (at least Pandora has interactive plants and a couple live shows).

Besides, "stepping into someone else's story" has been Disney's "M.O." since Disneyland, 1955. It is what they do best. Why change things up now? They are being shortsighted.

Interactive PLANTS?? That's what you're giving Pandora credit for? Epic.

I guess the hour DH and I spent running around hacking droids and vehicles and radio antenna and decoding stuff doesn't count. And playing with CM's, messing with Stormtroopers etc..

Is the problem that people aren't looking further than the surface at the land? And has anyone been able to tell us if there is bush music in Pandora?

 

[disneyseniors]

If you're concerned, just ask to switch with someone in the engineering role. You can sit back and do nothing and it will only barely affect the outcome of the ride.

And if anyone is really legitimately annoyed or cranky due to their "Score" on MF:SR, they need to get a wookiee-smack upside the head.

Yes, if we ride it, I will see if someone in group wants the pilot role. I will gladly give it to someone who really wants that experience.

 

[monkyby87]

Yes, if we ride it, I will see if someone in group wants the pilot role. I will gladly give it to someone who really wants that experience.

I'm sure someone in the group would be happy to change, as most don't want the Engineer role. It's the best role if you're wanting to be able to just look around and worry as little as possible about pushing buttons.

 

[monkyby87]

This is kind of making me think about Super Nintendo World at Universal Japan (I'm using this as the example because we have details about this one and it's well underway, construction wise). Supposedly, there will be an element of game play in this land where guests have wristbands that allow them to literally play as they explore. This land is supposed to make you feel like you are actually in the video game. You will get to drive a kart in Mario Kart. Ride on Yoshi through a world (like Mario does in the game), ride a mine cart coaster through Donkey Kong themed land. You will be able to walk through warp pipes, hit question blocks and earn coins, meet Nintendo characters, eat in a cafe themed to look like a toadstool. THIS sounds like an immersive land where you can truly live an adventure, and where your actions can earn you points that you can then translate to your real life video gameplay (rumors of a link to Nintendo Switch gameplay with the wristbands)

As cool as all of that sounds (and it does), you do have interactive elements in SW:GE. You have to use your mobile device for much of it, but that's exactly the same concept as the Nintendo Switch.
You also described rides that take you through themed areas. That's EXACTLY what Disney has on virtually every single ride. And I'm sure as heck not taking my bulky, fragile video game console into a theme park.

Plus, right now that's in Japan, where that kind of stuff and particular video game culture might do better. I'm very skeptical how well those concepts will play out here in the U.S.

 

[LanceQ]

Even if Galaxy's Edge was set in a different SW era (or paid no mind to things like continuity and timeframe), having "face characters" for the classic characters would be a terrible, terrible idea.

I'm all for masked characters like Kylo and the stormtroopers. Aliens like Chewie (more aliens, please!) and new additions like Vi Moradi.

I even really like the Rey. But I think Rey is different than the main OT characters. She's newer, she doesn't have the history, she's not quite as burned into everyone's consciousness yet.

Having phony versions of Han, Luke and Leia would be jarring, creepy and weird.

 

[LanceQ]

Yes, if we ride it, I will see if someone in group wants the pilot role. I will gladly give it to someone who really wants that experience.

My advice, especially if you're an engineer, is to just largely ignore your "role" and just focus on enjoying the ride. Once we shifted our focus from pushing buttons to just having fun, we enjoyed it so much more.

 

[yulilin3]

Even if Galaxy's Edge was set in a different SW era (or paid no mind to things like continuity and timeframe), having "face characters" for the classic characters would be a terrible, terrible idea.

I'm all for masked characters like Kylo and the stormtroopers. Aliens like Chewie (more aliens, please!) and new additions like Vi Moradi.

I even really like the Rey. But I think Rey is different than the main OT characters. She's newer, she doesn't have the history, she's not quite as burned into everyone's consciousness yet.

Having phony versions of Han, Luke and Leia would be jarring, creepy and weird.

Face characters are always an issue, especially for SW purist. During SWW we had a favorite Luke, Leia, Ahsoka, Sabine, Mace Windu. There was one year that they had an Anakin from Episode III that looked exactly like him, the lines were super long, then they switched to another one and that was so disappointing.
I think that just more aliens and droids would do the trick for GE

 

[LuigiSpice]

I think that just more aliens and droids would do the trick for GE

This. I loved Galaxies Edge, but there are far too many people that look like me there to make it feel truly "alien." I would have loved if in the cantina you had a couple of sketchy looking aliens wandering around or drinking at the bar. Of course that would take away space from paying customers and therefore is unacceptable.

 

[yulilin3]

This. I loved Galaxies Edge, but there are far too many people that look like me there to make it feel truly "alien." I would have loved if in the cantina you had a couple of sketchy looking aliens wandering around or drinking at the bar. Of course that would take away space from paying customers and therefore is unacceptable.

Maybe if they had one or two in a corner pretending to make drinks behind the bar, in a spot that won't block the actual bartenders? That wouldn't take space from paying customers

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

This. I loved Galaxies Edge, but there are far too many people that look like me there to make it feel truly "alien." I would have loved if in the cantina you had a couple of sketchy looking aliens wandering around or drinking at the bar. Of course that would take away space from paying customers and therefore is unacceptable.

For some reason this made me think of the Robot Chicken version of the cantina scene where it turns out it's all a misunderstanding, the guy is actually a chill guy, but gets his arm chopped off because some jerk said he didn't like them.

 

[fatmanatee]

As cool as all of that sounds (and it does), you do have interactive elements in SW:GE. You have to use your mobile device for much of it, but that's exactly the same concept as the Nintendo Switch.
You also described rides that take you through themed areas. That's EXACTLY what Disney has on virtually every single ride. And I'm sure as heck not taking my bulky, fragile video game console into a theme park.

Plus, right now that's in Japan, where that kind of stuff and particular video game culture might do better. I'm very skeptical how well those concepts will play out here in the U.S.

I'm really excited about SNW but I'm also pessimistic about the interactive elements. It's a bonus if they work well but I'm expecting something that either doesn't work that well (every time I've gone to Wizarding World I've seen kids try to make things happen with the wands and fail half the time and that's with Uni employees helping) or just feels like work as opposed to fun.

 

[DLgal]

Interactive PLANTS?? That's what you're giving Pandora credit for? Epic.

I guess the hour DH and I spent running around hacking droids and vehicles and radio antenna and decoding stuff doesn't count. And playing with CM's, messing with Stormtroopers etc..

Is the problem that people aren't looking further than the surface at the land? And has anyone been able to tell us if there is bush music in Pandora?

I was reaching. I really don't like Pandora. But, at least the plants react when you touch them, which is more than I can say for any of the cool light up panels in SWGE. That Play app is such an annoying, glitchy, battery hog, and most kids aren't running around with smartphones. I can't even tell you how many kids I have seen excitedly run up to the panels and try and press buttons that don't press. How easy would it have been to make those buttons reactive? SO easy. And yet, they are static and you can't press them. There are doorways all over the land that you can't walk through. There are droids and ships behind metal fences that you cannot approach. Where's the fun in that?

At least Pandora has a rope bridge you can cross, and waterfalls, and yes, the interactive plants. It's more than SWGe has going for it.

The stormtroopers are hit or miss. In all my visits to the land, they have never approached me or interacted with me UNTIL last Monday when they saw me using my phone and said to me "Always looking at your datpad, huh? Your datapad must be SOOO interesting. I wish I had a datapad, but I would never get any work done." And you know what, he sounded really snotty and sarcastic. It was kind of offputting, considering you need a "datapad" to do so much in the land...I wanted to be like "screw you, dude...mind your own business." I obviously didn't, but this is not the kind of interaction that gives me a feel good feeling. I was kind of pissed, TBH. Chewbacca and Rey are much more interesting characters to run into. But you don't get to create your own story with them...you have to join them in their mission.

 

[LanceQ]

This. I loved Galaxies Edge, but there are far too many people that look like me there to make it feel truly "alien." I would have loved if in the cantina you had a couple of sketchy looking aliens wandering around or drinking at the bar. Of course that would take away space from paying customers and therefore is unacceptable.

Give them a dedicated space or just have them wander! More aliens, PLEASE!!!

 

[LanceQ]

Face characters are always an issue, especially for SW purist. During SWW we had a favorite Luke, Leia, Ahsoka, Sabine, Mace Windu. There was one year that they had an Anakin from Episode III that looked exactly like him, the lines were super long, then they switched to another one and that was so disappointing.
I think that just more aliens and droids would do the trick for GE

I think face characters become safer the further you get away from the classic 3 leads. Like I said, I would never want to see a Han, Luke or Leia. Obi Wan (old version) maybe. Maybe a Mace Windu. Definitely anyone who was animated would be fine.

And ST characters don't bother me since they aren't yet as iconic/recognizable/burned into our brains.

 

[LanceQ]

I wanted to be like "screw you, dude...mind your own business." I obviously didn't, but this is not the kind of interaction that gives me a feel good feeling. I was kind of pissed, TBH.

You sound fairly humorless if you were upset by tongue-in-cheek razzing from SW characters.

 

[Jennasis]

I was reaching. I really don't like Pandora. But, at least the plants react when you touch them, which is more than I can say for any of the cool light up panels in SWGE. That Play app is such an annoying, glitchy, battery hog, and most kids aren't running around with smartphones. I can't even tell you how many kids I have seen excitedly run up to the panels and try and press buttons that don't press. How easy would it have been to make those buttons reactive? SO easy. And yet, they are static and you can't press them. There are doorways all over the land that you can't walk through. There are droids and ships behind metal fences that you cannot approach. Where's the fun in that?

At least Pandora has a rope bridge you can cross, and waterfalls, and yes, the interactive plants. It's more than SWGe has going for it.

The stormtroopers are hit or miss. In all my visits to the land, they have never approached me or interacted with me UNTIL last Monday when they saw me using my phone and said to me "Always looking at your datpad, huh? Your datapad must be SOOO interesting. I wish I had a datapad, but I would never get any work done." And you know what, he sounded really snotty and sarcastic. It was kind of offputting, considering you need a "datapad" to do so much in the land...I wanted to be like "screw you, dude...mind your own business." I obviously didn't, but this is not the kind of interaction that gives me a feel good feeling. I was kind of pissed, TBH. Chewbacca and Rey are much more interesting characters to run into. But you don't get to create your own story with them...you have to join them in their mission.

What now? A rope bridge? Umm...where?


We saw tons of kids playing with the app and the interactive droids, ships, panels, doors. Sorry your visit was a bust. And the Stormtroopers...well, what can I say...they ARE bad guys after all LOL!