Star Wars: Beyond Victory is the latest immersive project from Lucasfilm and ILM, developed for the Meta Quest headset. But what exactly is it? A game? A digital toy? An interactive story? In truth, it stands at the crossroads of all three. This post breaks down what the project is, how it works, and why it could redefine how we experience stories in the Star Wars universe.
A Mixed Reality Playset, Not Just a Game
Lucasfilm describes Beyond Victory as a “Mixed Reality Playset.” That means it moves beyond the traditional structure of games with linear objectives. Inspired by classic themed toy sets, this new concept invites players to explore, create, and interact with the Star Wars universe in a more open and immersive way.
The experience unfolds across three distinct modes, each offering a different kind of interaction:
Adventure Mode
In this VR story, players follow Volo Bolus, a young podracer who gets a mysterious offer from Luuda, the partner of Sebulba (yes, the podracing villain from The Phantom Menace). Players walk through Volo’s workshop, interact with objects, meet characters, and experience the story in first person.
Arcade Mode
This mode delivers a podracing experience with an arcade-style feel. The action plays out in third person on a virtual holographic tabletop, combining classic racing gameplay with mixed reality visuals.
Playset Mode
The most creative of the three. It allows players to use unlockable virtual figures and vehicles to build their own animated scenes in their physical environment. Think of it as a digital toy box where you bring Star Wars to life on your real-world desk.
A Story Set Between Episodes III and IV
Beyond Victory takes place during the timeline of Solo: A Star Wars Story. That puts the story between Episodes III and IV — a period less focused on Jedi, and more on smugglers, outlaws, and rebels.
Volo is a new character. Sebulba returns as his mentor, and possibly as a threat. The story mixes humor, action, and a touch of mystery, placing players at the heart of shady deals and illegal races.
What Does “Mixed Reality” Mean?
Unlike pure VR, mixed reality blends the real and the digital. You still see your surroundings, but with digital objects layered on top.
In Playset Mode, for example, you can see your room while placing holographic characters and ships into it. Your table becomes a Star Wars set.
In Arcade Mode, a flat surface like your desk turns into a racetrack, like a living diorama. Adventure Mode, however, takes place in a fully virtual world — you step into the story.
Has It Launched Yet?
No. Star Wars: Beyond Victory is listed in the Meta Quest store, but it’s not available to install. The page allows users to wishlist the experience, but reviews and download options are still missing.
However, selected influencers tested a demo during Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025. Feedback was mostly positive, especially about the graphics and immersive feel of the story mode. On the other hand, the racing mode drew some criticism. Players found the track visibility limited and the difficulty level too high — issues the developers are expected to address.
So far, there’s no official release date.
A Transmedia Expansion of the Story
To expand the universe, Marvel will release an exclusive Beyond Victory comic. Written by Ethan Sacks and illustrated by Phil Noto and others, the comic acts as a prequel to the experience.
It was only distributed at the in-person demo at the ILM and Meta booth. This shows Lucasfilm’s strategy: build a connected storytelling ecosystem where games, comics, and events enrich one another.
Final Thoughts: Is the Galaxy’s Future Mixed?
Star Wars: Beyond Victory isn’t just a new way to play — it’s a test of how entertainment can blend into our physical world. By turning your living room or desk into part of the galaxy, ILM proposes something beyond the screen.
Whether this becomes a mainstream hit or stays a niche experiment remains to be seen. Still, one thing is clear: the galaxy far, far away is getting closer. And now, it might fit on your table.
Public Reactions vs. Hands-On Impressions
Despite the bold idea, the trailer sparked mixed reactions. Many criticized it for showing too much footage from old games and using a top-down view for the races. Viewers expected a first-person experience.
However, those who tried the game in Japan gave different feedback. They praised the story mode’s graphics, its atmosphere, and the immersive narrative. The race mode still felt fun but needs fine-tuning in track design and camera angles.
In short, the criticism seems more about how the game was presented than the experience itself.
Want to see another way Star Wars is reinventing itself?
Read our post about Visions Volume 3 and discover the new Japanese shorts expanding the galaxy with style, sensitivity, and unique artistry.
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