"Predicting the Destiny of 'Star Wars Battlefront' Games"
It's been a while, but gamers and Star Wars enthusiasts are yearning for another taste of Star Wars Battlefront. The renewed interest in DICE's 2017 release, Battlefront II, seems to be reviving the community, with calls for a global event to boost its player base and showcase the game's enduring spirit.
Stirring the pot is Muhannad Ben Amor, aka Wilmon from Andor, who recently chimed in, hoping for a third installment. Over the years, the multiplayer shooter series has had a rollercoaster ride. The first two games, created by Pandemic Studios, and the subsequent pair from DICE never made it to number three. However, a third version came dangerously close, with several developers working on it, including Timesplitters creator Free Radical Design.
The reasons for a third game and why it should be revived are intricately linked and complex to answer. Producing games based on this beloved franchise has presented challenges throughout its history. Sadly, many of the most renowned Star Wars games are the ones that never saw the light of day, like the Boba Fett-centric 1313 or third entries for Knights of the Old Republic and Force Unleashed. Even EA had its fair share of troubles, canceling projects from Visceral Games and Motive Studios.
Currently, DICE isheart and soul in developing the next Battlefield game, with several other EA studios supporting them. So, another Battlefront game isn't likely to come from EA, and probably not any time soon. A former live producer on Battlefront II suggests a remaster of the previous game as a stepping stone for a sequel, ideally with members from the original team. However, it's Electronic Arts that calls the shots on remasters, and they may not deem a remaster for the Battlefront games necessary.
Since the release of Star Wars: Fallen Order in 2019, the gaming world has primarily witnessed single-player titles associated with the Star Wars universe, like Star Wars Outlaws from Ubisoft and 2026's Zero Company from Bit Reactor. The exception being Star Wars Squadrons, which focused on space combat. EA seems to be hesitant to delve back into multiplayer due to the controversy surrounding Battlefront II's initial monetization, which was heavily criticized.
Add to that the recent success of Fortnite's "Galactic Battle" tie-in event, numerous character skins, and the plot-critical audio log revealing Palpatine's return in Rise of Skywalker, Fortnite has essentially become the go-to multiplayer shooter for the Star Wars franchise. With Star Wars experiencing a new era of movies and shows, it's uncertain how a third Battlefront game would fit into the puzzle, especially when online games, despite their size, tend to be quickly cast aside.
The dream of a Star Wars Battlefront III may never fade away, but the odds currently seem stacked against it. With EA focusing on its proven franchises and a dearth of official announcements, the chances of an official release in the near future appear slim. However, fan enthusiasm remains high, and fan-made projects continue to ignite the flames of hope. As Star Wars enters a new phase, it remains to be seen who or what will carry the torch for Star Wars Battlefront III.
- Muhannad Ben Amor, also known as Wilmon from the show 'Andor', expressed a desire for a third installment in the 'Star Wars Battlefront' series.
- The multiplayer shooter series, which includes games like 'Battlefront II' and potential third entries for 'Knights of the Old Republic' and 'Force Unleashed', has faced various challenges in its history.
- Despite the wish for a third game, DICE is currently focused on developing the next 'Battlefield' game, making another 'Battlefront' game unlikely from EA for some time.
- With 'Star Wars' expanding in the realm of movies and shows, it's unclear whether a third 'Battlefront' game would fit seamlessly into the ongoing narrative, especially considering the popularity of games like 'Fortnite' and the controversy surrounding 'Battlefront II's' initial monetization.
