UK filmmaker Eloise Singer’s Singer Studios announced on Wednesday that legendary actress Lucy Liu would executive produce and star in its upcoming VR puzzle adventure game The Pirate Queen.
What is The Pirate Queen about?
The Pirate Queen will debut on Steam VR and the Quest 2 and is described as an “immersive game” that “tells the forgotten story of the legendary Cheng Shih, the most successful pirate in history.” While not too much is known about the game as of now, Singer Studios says it will feature a variety of gameplay mechanics unique to the world of VR. The studio also says that players will have a “diverse experience, including exploration, throwing, climbing, rowing, fishing, and solving environmental puzzles.”
Liu will voice the role of the Pirate Queen herself, with Singer Studios noting that it has spent time meticulously researching the life of Cheng Shih to ensure that players have “a historically accurate adventure.”
The Pirate Queen is expected to have its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival, with a release set for early 2024. Alongside Steam VR and the Quest 2, the game will also be available on mobile devices at some point, as well.
Check out a trailer for The Pirate Queen below:
Liu’s history as an actor is a long one, having starred in a litany of high-profile projects, including Chicago, Kill Bill: Volume 1, Charlie’s Angel, the Kung Fu Panda series, and more. Most recently, she starred as Kalypsoi in the DC film Shazam! Fury of the Gods. In a statement on the project, Liu expressed excitement about being able to “bring new life to a forgotten story” about what she describes as a fascinating woman.
“I’m really excited to be working alongside [game director Eloise Singer] to bring new life to a forgotten story about Cheng Shih – a fascinating woman, who with incredible resilience and tenacity, became a powerful pirate leader during the Qing Dynasty,” said Liu. “This project marks the first time I embody a character through immersive storytelling and I’m honored to join forces with Singer Studios to share this historical narrative with a potentially new and expanded audience.”
Cheng Shih — also known as Zheng Yi Sao, Shi Yang, and Ching Shih — was a pirate leader that was active in the South China Sea from 1801 to 1810. Shih is credited with not only being history’s most successful female pirate, but also one of the most successful pirates in history, having commanded over a fleet that was composed of anywhere between 40,000-60,000 pirates.
