Star Wars Battlefront 3 in Development; Bungie Among Studios Rumored

After nearly a decade without a new entry, Star Wars Battlefront appears to be moving forward. According to a rumor circulating in gaming circles, Lucasfilm is actively seeking a development studio to create Star Wars Battlefront 3. Jeff Grubb, cohost of Giant Bomb’s podcast, reported on the matter, citing information from Electronic Gaming Monthly’s recent retrospective and associated Quartermann gossip column.

The rumor names two major studios as contenders: EA DICE, the developer behind the previous two Battlefront games, and Bungie, the studio behind franchises including Halo, Destiny, and the upcoming Marathon.

The Rumor’s Origins

The information emerged through Electronic Gaming Monthly’s Kickstarter-funded retrospective release, which included a new digital issue featuring the return of the Quartermann column. On the October 19 episode of Game Mess Morning, Grubb shared the column’s contents, which described Lucasfilm as aggressively deploying probe droids to find a partner for the project. While no studio has officially committed, Grubb indicated that two major developers were actively circling the opportunity.

Multiple industry observers have since corroborated at least the core claim that Lucasfilm wants to revive the Battlefront franchise. The timing coincides with increased Star Wars gaming activity this fall, including releases like Galactic Racer and Zero Company, which suggest the franchise is experiencing renewed momentum in the video game space.

Studios in Consideration

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EA DICE’s Track Record

Electronic Arts’ DICE studio has the most obvious credential for the role. The developer created both Battlefront titles and, while those games faced their share of controversies around monetization and loot boxes in the case of Battlefront II, they established the studio as experienced with the franchise. From a business perspective, continuity with an established developer carries less risk than starting fresh.

Bungie’s Current Position

Bungie finds itself at an interesting juncture. Acquired by Sony, the Bellevue-based studio is currently between major projects: Marathon appears destined to wind down, and Destiny 2 has entered maintenance mode focused primarily on bringing back older content. This positions Bungie as available to take on new work. Sony’s own track record provides some precedent for this kind of arrangement, having partnered with Insomniac Games on multiple Marvel-licensed projects, suggesting a willingness to loan out subsidiary studios for external IP when the fit makes sense.

The Revenue Perspective

Bungie’s acquisition by Sony adds another layer to the equation. The publisher would presumably benefit from seeing one of its studios generate significant revenue, even if that revenue comes from operating another company’s intellectual property. Battlefront 3 would represent a more straightforward path to profitability than years spent on entirely original IP development, with all the risk that entails.

The Creative Case Against Bungie

From a creative standpoint, assigning Bungie to Star Wars would represent a missed opportunity. Over the past decade, Bungie has established itself as one of gaming’s premier world-builders in the science fiction space. Destiny’s vast lore, ever-expanding cosmology, and distinct aesthetic have set new standards for how licensed universes can be developed. Marathon, likewise, shows ambition in crafting a singular sci-fi setting that could anchor an entirely new franchise.

Using Bungie’s talents to expand someone else’s universe, no matter how storied that universe may be, means the studio spends years building inside Star Wars’ sandbox rather than creating its own. The opportunity cost is significant. Players and critics have seen what happens when Bungie is given freedom to establish fresh worlds, and the resulting games have been among the most discussed and analyzed in modern gaming.

The Practical Reality

Yet creative ideals collide with practical realities. Bungie currently lacks the momentum it once commanded. The studio has experienced substantial turnover and organizational turbulence since its Sony acquisition, leaving it diminished compared to the team that built Destiny’s foundation or the Halo series. The studio needs a clear win to rebuild confidence internally and externally.

Battlefront 3 presents a significantly lower-risk proposition than original IP development. The Star Wars name carries instant recognition and built-in audience appeal. Development costs come with established expectations and clearer market parameters. A studio in Bungie’s current position might reasonably prioritize a successful licensed game over years of uncertain pre-production and prototyping on something entirely new.

The Timeline Ahead

Regardless of which studio ultimately secures the project, fans expecting a near-term announcement should temper their expectations. Modern AAA game development operates on extended timelines. The window for a Battlefront 3 reveal likely extends well into the next console generation, with announcement potentially arriving somewhere in the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix era rather than the current hardware cycle. The standard development arc for games at this scale means that even with a studio locked in today, years would pass before the project reaches the public eye.

Source: Kotaku