Predicting the Evolution of the 'Star Wars Battlefront' Series
Game freaks and die-hard Star Wars enthusiasts have been clamoring for a new installment of the beloved multiplayer shooter series, Star Wars Battlefront. Recently, the nearly two-year-old Battlefront II has seen a resurgence in popularity, particularly on PC, sparking conversations about a day-long global event to revive the game and showcase the devoted Battlefront community's spirit.
These recent developments were bolstered by Andor actor Muhannad Ben Amor, who expressed his enthusiasm for another entry in the series, "[Grew up with Battlefront II;] let's hope for a Battlefront III."
Taking a stroll down memory lane, the Star Wars Battlefront saga has experienced two distinct lives, with the original games developed during the prequel era by the late Pandemic Studios and the more recent pair crafted by Battlefield developer DICE. Despite neither series managing to hit the third installment, a Battlefront III was almost upon us. Developers such as Timesplitters creator Free Radical Design were tapped to create a third entry, but alas, it never came to fruition.
While much of the game development world has offered us glimpses of series that never made it to the light of day, like the Boba Fett-centric 1313 or third installments for Knights of the Old Republic and Force Unleashed, the Star Wars universe has faced its fair share of challenges. Even EA wrestled with problems, canceling a pirate-focused project from Visceral Games and Motive Studios, and more recently, a first-person shooter centered on a Mandalorian that was in the works at Respawn, creators of the critically acclaimed Star Wars Jedi games.
Currently, DICE is all-in on the next Battlefield game, with several other EA studios lending a hand. With this focus on Battlefield, another Battlefront title doesn't seem likely, given EA's timeline. A former live producer on Battlefront II has even suggested a remaster of the previous game as a stepping stone to a potential sequel, ideally developed by members of the original team. Yet, the challenge lies with EA: while Pandemic's Battlefront games have been remastered, EA is selective about what it chooses to remaster or remake.
In the wake of Fallen Order, Star Wars has mostly kept its eyes on single-player titles, such as Ubisoft's Star Wars Outlaws and 2026's Zero Company from Bit Reactor. Space combat-focused Star Wars Squadrons is the only multiplayer game EA has recommitted to post-outcry over the controversial monetization of Battlefront II. Perhaps this caution has stemmed from the backlash against Battlefront II's monetization model, which has led EA to lose the exclusive license to create licensed Star Wars games.
Enter Fortnite: thanks to the recent "Galactic Battle" tie-in event, a multitude of in-game skins for various franchise characters, and the plot-critical audio log in Rise of Skywalker, Epic Games' battle royale has become the most influential multiplayer shooter in the Star Wars universe. In essence, the galaxy far, far away has found a new home with Fortnite, steering clear of a new Battlefront title for the time being.
Even with a renewed excitement for the original Star Wars Battlefront II, conditions for a third installment seem unfavorable. However, like a fearless Wookiee fighting a horde of stormtroopers, Star Wars Battlefront III can always be a beacon of hope.
As we venture into a new phase of the Star Wars saga, promising more films and shows, the future of a Battlefront III remains a mystery. Only time will tell if this fabled game finds its way back into the hearts of gamers and the galaxy itself.
Stay tuned for updates on the latest Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek releases, the DC universe on film and TV, and all things Doctor Who. May the spinning wheels of time bring us closer to a new Star Wars Battlefront game that satisfies our every Jedi knight's pastime.
- With the surge of interest in Star Wars Battlefront II, fans continue to hope for the development of a Battlefront III, much like Muhannad Ben Amor, who has expressed his enthusiasm for such a game.
- While EA currently focuses on the next Battlefield game, a former live producer of Battlefront II has proposed a remaster of the previous game as a potential stepping stone towards a potential sequel, ideally developed by members of the original team.
- As the Star Wars saga moves into a new phase, packed with more films and shows, the prospect of a Battlefront III remains a question hanging in the future, and time will reveal if this long-coveted game becomes a reality once again.
