Prospects of the Upcoming 'Star Wars Battlefront' Installment
Gamers and Star Wars enthusiasts are in a frenzy, clamoring for another installment of the beloved Star Wars Battlefront series. Lately, there's been a surge of attention for Battlefront II, with its player count spiking on PC, and the community eager to ride the wave of renewed popularity with a global, day-long event to boost player numbers and show their undying spirit.
This uncontainable excitement has been ignited by Star Wars' May 4 holiday and Andor star Muhannad Ben Amor's impassioned plea for more: "Grew up with Battlefront II; been a veteran since day one, let's hope for Battlefront III!"
Over two decades, the multiplayer shooter franchise has had two lifetimes. The first two games, produced during the Star Wars prequel era by the late Pandemic Studios, are distinct from the more recent pair developed by Battlefield creators DICE. Neither has managed to reach the coveted number three, though a Battlefront III for the original series was almost a reality - with teams like Timesplitters creator Free Radical Design in the mix. Before Electronic Arts secured the Star Wars game license, LucasArts attempted to rekindle the games, with an online-only entry, a smaller scale multiplayer game, and a fourth game featuring an alternate reality where Obi-Wan and Luke were Sith Lords, but all these efforts bore no fruit. Once DICE stopped supporting Battlefront II in 2020, the series vanished once more.
The debate about whether Star Wars Battlefront will resurface and why it should remains a contentious question. Developing games set in this universe has often been a challenging proposition, with many of the most memorable Star Wars games being those that 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 coexisted with Battlefront. Electronic Arts has also faced its fair share of woes, canceling a pirate-focused project from Visceral Games and Motive Studios, and more recently shelving a first-person shooter centered on a Mandalorian from Respawn, creators of the critically-acclaimed Star Wars Jedi games.
At the moment, DICE is fullyfocused on the next Battlefield game, with several other EA studios offering support. This leaves little room for another Battlefront; a Battlefront III from EA isn't feasible or at least not anytime soon. Former Battlefront II live producer Mats Holm confirmed as much on Reddit, suggesting a remaster of the previous game as a stepping stone before creating a sequel, ideally with any members of the previous team who'd be interested in returning. A remaster would be the logical "in," but Electronic Arts, being as selective as other publishers when it comes to remasters and remakes, isn't guaranteed to greenlight the project.
Ever since 2019's Fallen Order, Star Wars has primarily focused on single-player titles like Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws and the 2026 Zero Company from Bit Reactor. Other than the space combat-focused Star Wars Squadrons, EA hasn't re-commited to Star Wars multiplayer, possibly due to the backlash over Battlefront II's initial monetization, which was deemed excessively controversial and criticized.
Given the popularity of Fortnite, it's now the most significant multiplayer shooter Star Wars could have, with its recent "Galactic Battle" tie-in event, a multitude of in-game skins for franchise characters, and a plot-relevant audio log that hints at Palpatine's shocking return in Rise of Skywalker. Both previous incarnations of Star Wars Battlefront existed in a time where they could be the sole hub for all things Star Wars. Battlefront II showcased itself as a unifying force for the three trilogies, pouring everything it had into post-launch updates that incorporated maps, weapons, and characters from the sequels and prequels, Rogue One, and Solo. Since DICE ended support for the game in 2019, Star Wars hasn't maintained a steady momentum, making a real Battlefront III a hard sell.
In 2026, The Mandalorian & Grogu and Disney+ series like Maul: Shadow Lord and the 2027 Starfighter film are rumored to have a tie-in with Fortnite. It seems Star Wars is trapped in the clutches of Epic Games, and it's unlikely Disney will sever that partnership anytime soon.
Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, hope for a Star Wars Battlefront III continues to burn brightly. As Star Wars embarks on a new phase in its life, promising more movies and shows that explore the sequels and the time beyond, one has to wonder where Battlefront III fits in these plans and who will be around to create it when online games, no matter their size, are quickly cast aside.
So, while we wait with bated breath for official news, we can keep our fingers crossed for a thrilling, star-studded adventure in the Star Wars Battlefront galaxy! Stay tuned for the latest updates on Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek, the future of the DC Universe, and the next chapter in the Doctor Who saga.
1. In the realm of gaming and entertainment, IGN, io9, and Gizmodo continue their coverage of the anticipation for a potential third installment of the beloved Star Wars Battlefront series.
2. Fans and enthusiasts might find solace in the fact that Electronic Arts has maintained a presence in the Star Wars universe, as evidenced by Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws and the 2026 Zero Company from Bit Reactor.
3. Amidst the shift in Star Wars focus towards single-player titles and collaborations with other companies like Epic Games for Fortnite, there's persistent optimism among the gaming community for the eventual launch of Star Wars Battlefront III.
