Predicting the Course of 'Star Wars Battlefront' Development
Alright, let's dive into the possibly epic return of Star Wars Battlefront. Fans and gamers alike have started raising quite the ruckus, begging for another installment in the popular shooter series. With Star Wars' memorable day, May 4, and Andor star Muhannad Ben Amor asking for another entry, it seems that the spirit of the Battlefront community is burning bright!
This wildfire of interest was sparked by the 2017 release of Battlefront II and its recent surge in popularity on PC. And now, the community is firing on all cylinders, planning a global day-long event to show just how much love they have for the shooter series.
Over the years, there have been two lives of Battlefront. The first generation came during the Star Wars prequel era and was developed by the late Pandemic Studios, while the second, more recent pair were the handywork of Battlefield developer DICE. Despite only reaching number two, there was a Battlefront III almost here, with several developers working on it, including Timesplitters creator Free Radical Design. Sadly, things didn't pan out, and the sub-series was once again silent when DICE stopped supporting its Battlefront II in 2020.
So, should there be another Battlefront? That's a tricky question with even trickier answers. Making games based on this coveted property hasn't always been a walk in the Mos Eisley cantina. Some of the most famous Star Wars games never actually saw the light of day, like the Boba Fett-starring 1313 or third entries for Knights of the Old Republic and Force Unleashed, two sub-series that played alongside Battlefront. Even EA had its fair share of troubles; it canceled a pirate-focused project from Visceral Games and Motive Studios, and recently killed a first-person shooter centered on a Mandalorian by Respawn.
Currently, DICE is all-in on the next Battlefield game, with several other EA studios offering support. So, it seems that another Battlefront couldn't reasonably come from EA, at least not in the near future. Mats Holm, a former live producer on Battlefront II, recently suggested a remaster of the previous game as a good jumping-off point for a sequel, ideally with any members from the original team wanting to participate. However, the problem lies with EA; while the Pandestic-made Battlefront games have been remastered, Electronic Arts can be picky when it comes to deciding what gets the remaster treatment.
Since 2019's Fallen Order, Star Wars has kept its game-developing gaze fixed on single-player titles. Other than the space combat-focused Star Wars Squadrons, EA hasn't recommitted to multiplayer shooters, probably because the controversy surrounding Battlefront II's initial monetization was so disastrous and heavily criticized. Now, Fortnite reins supreme as the beloved multiplayer shooter of the Star Wars universe, thanks to its numerous in-game skins for franchise characters, plot-important audio logs, and the recent "Galactic Battle" tie-in event.
Both previous incarnations of Star Wars Battlefront thrived as the only place where all of Star Wars could exist. Battlefront II was already marketed as a unification point for all three trilogies, and as part of its rehabilitation efforts, DICE poured everything they had into post-launch updates, incorporating maps, weapons, and characters from the sequels, prequels, Rogue One, and Solo. But, in the time since DICE ended support for the game in 2019, Star Wars hasn't made consistent momentum, which raises questions about whether a real Battlefront III should happen.
By 2026, The Mandalorian & Grogu and the Disney+ series Maul: Shadow Lord will likely get a Fortnite tie-in, as will the 2027 Starfighter film. Moreover, Star Wars seems to be trapped in the web of Epic Games, making it doubtful that Disney will break that partnership anytime soon.
While fans still hold onto hope for a Star Wars Battlefront III, the odds are quite daunting. But, as Star Wars enters a new phase of its life that promises more movies and shows, you can't help but wonder if a Battlefront could fit into the franchise's designs at a time when online games, regardless of size, are quickly cast aside.
Whether or not Star Wars Battlefront III makes a triumphant return, the passion of the fans and the beauty of the series itself ensure that it will never truly die. So, we'll just have to sit back and wait for a ray of hope to shine on us, my friends.
Now, gear up for more Star Wars news, including upcoming releases for Marvel, Star Trek, and Doctor Who, and what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV.
- Despite the ceaseless demands from fans and gamers, DICE, currently focused on the next Battlefield game, seems unlikely to develop Star Wars Battlefront III anytime soon, at least in the near future.
- Gizmodo and io9 report that the passion of the Star Wars Battlefront community continues to burn bright, with plans for a global day-long event to show their unwavering love for the shooter series.
- Games like Star Wars Battlefront have served as the only place where all of Star Wars could exist, with Battlefront II being marketed as a unification point for all three trilogies.
- As Star Wars enters a new phase with more movies and shows, there remains a question of whether a Star Wars Battlefront could find a place in the franchise's designs, especially when online games are quickly cast aside. Meanwhile, Fortnite remains the beloved multiplayer shooter of the Star Wars universe, with numerous tie-ins and collaborations.
