It looks like Battlestar Galactica fans hoping to see actress Katee Sackhoff suit up for space combat one more time will finally get their wish — though her return to the pilot seat will be in the virtual reality video game EVE: Valkyrie this time around.
Developer CCP Games announced Sackhoff’s involvement with the upcoming VR game this week, and revealed that the Battlestar Galactica and Riddick actress will play the role of Rán, the leader of a team of fighter pilots. EVE: Valkyrie is set within the “New Eden” universe of EVE Online, the long-running MMORPG that launched in 2003 and hit the 500,000-member mark in February 2013.
“The first time I played EVE: Valkyrie I immediately knew I had to be a part of it,” said Sackhoff in a press release announcing her involvement with the game. “Even with the roles I have played, it is the closest I have ever felt to being a real spaceship pilot. It is a truly transformative video game experience.”
Currently in development for both PlayStation 4’s Project Morpheus and the Oculus Rift VR headsets, EVE: Valkyrie puts players in the cockpit for team-based dogfights within the EVE Online universe. Players will compete in one of three roles — fighter, heavy, or support — while rising through the ranks and unlocking additional ships, weapons, and other elements.
The use of the VR headset will also allow for 360-degree immersion in the action, possibly with Starbuck herself — or in this case, Rán — offering the occasional advice or assist.
“Katee is the perfect actor to bring Rán to life,” added Owen O’Brien, executive producer for EVE: Valkyrie at CCP. “Not only does she have a track record in bringing strong female characters to life, but also once she had played Valkyrie I was delighted to see that she was as excited and enthused about the project as we are.”
EVE: Valkyrie was originally announced for release later this year, but there’s been no additional mention of launch timing since then.