Star Wars Battlefront 3 in Development; Bungie and EA DICE Rumored

Lucasfilm is reportedly seeking a development partner to create Star Wars Battlefront 3, nearly ten years after the release of Battlefront 2. According to a rumor that surfaced from Electronic Gaming Monthly’s retrospective compendium, the publisher has been approaching multiple studios about the project. Jeff Grubb of Giant Bomb highlighted the report on his Game Mess Morning podcast on October 19, citing information from EGM’s revived Quartermann gossip column.

The rumor names two primary candidates for the role. EA DICE, the studio behind the previous two Battlefront titles, remains a likely contender. Bungie, known for developing Halo, Destiny, and the upcoming Marathon, has also been mentioned as a possibility in discussions. Beyond these two, other reports have since emerged suggesting Lucasfilm’s genuine interest in rebooting the franchise, though no official announcement has been made.

The Sourcing of the Rumor

How the information emerged

Electronic Gaming Monthly released a retrospective compendium that included Kickstarter bonus material, among which was a new digital issue featuring the return of the Quartermann column. This gossip section, which had been dormant for some time, contained the initial report about Lucasfilm’s plans for a new Battlefront entry. Jeff Grubb, a cohost at Giant Bomb known for covering industry news, then amplified this information on his Game Mess Morning podcast on October 19, providing additional commentary on what Lucasfilm reportedly seeks in a development partner.

Verification and timing

Since the initial report, multiple sources have independently corroborated at least the core claim that Disney and Lucasfilm want a new Battlefront game. This convergence of reporting lends credibility to the rumor. The timing is notable given that Star Wars games are currently experiencing a resurgence, with titles such as Galactic Racer and Zero Company drawing player interest and critical attention as the fall season progresses. The renewal of interest in Star Wars gaming makes now a logical moment for publisher talks about the next major entry in the Battlefront franchise.

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EA DICE’s proven track record

EA DICE has shipped two successful Battlefront titles and already possesses the technical expertise, multiplayer infrastructure, and production experience needed for a franchise entry. From a practical standpoint, returning to the studio that already understands the property makes logical sense. The developer has the institutional knowledge of Star Wars gameplay conventions, map design, and the specific demands of large-scale multiplayer experiences. Continuity in development can reduce risk and accelerate time-to-market.

However, EA DICE’s previous work on Battlefront 2 included monetization decisions that generated significant backlash. The game’s loot box implementation and associated progression systems drew criticism from players and media observers. Any future partnership would presumably need to address lessons learned from that period, including player expectations around cosmetic versus gameplay-affecting monetization.

Bungie as an alternative

Bungie represents a different possibility entirely. The studio has built two of the most recognizable sci-fi franchises in gaming over the past decade and change. Destiny established itself as a persistent-world multiplayer experience with elaborate world-building that has evolved considerably over time. Marathon attempted to modernize one of gaming’s legendary properties for contemporary audiences, demonstrating ambition in how Bungie approaches licensed and original projects alike. From a creative standpoint, Bungie’s track record with large multiplayer experiences and narrative-driven sci-fi worlds could theoretically bring substantial innovation to Battlefront.

Bungie’s Current Position and Strategic Considerations

Bungie is currently between projects in a meaningful way. Marathon appears to be winding down without achieving the commercial or critical momentum the studio envisioned. Destiny 2 remains functionally on pause, with the team primarily focused on rereleasing older content rather than developing substantive new experiences. This available development capacity theoretically makes Bungie available for a major undertaking like Battlefront 3.

The studio’s circumstances since being acquired by Sony in 2023 present a more complex picture. Bungie has faced significant organizational challenges including multiple rounds of layoffs, key leadership departures, and the broader struggle to transition away from its aging Destiny franchise. Sony acquired Bungie in part to establish a first-party multiplayer development capability, but the studio’s stumbles with Marathon and the stagnation of Destiny have complicated that investment thesis. Sony has financial and strategic reasons to want the Bellevue-based studio to start producing meaningful revenue again, potentially even revenue from work on another company’s intellectual property.

The Tension Between Guaranteed Revenue and Creative Potential

From a business perspective, assigning Battlefront 3 to Bungie offers a more certain path to revenue than years of prototyping and pre-production on an entirely new intellectual property. A game built on an existing franchise with established lore, recognizable characters, and clear player expectations provides a defined target for development. For Sony, seeing Bungie successfully deliver a major licensed project would represent a tangible recovery after an extended difficult period.

The creative argument runs in the opposite direction. Over the past decade-plus, Bungie has demonstrated consistent strength in building expansive sci-fi universes and establishing franchises with genuine staying power. Destiny’s world expanded and evolved considerably, and Marathon represented an ambitious effort to modernize a classic property with new mechanics and contemporary storytelling sensibilities. Assigning a studio of Bungie’s particular talents to develop content within the established Star Wars universe, rather than creating new sci-fi worlds of its own, represents a step down from what the studio could uniquely contribute to gaming. The opportunity cost of having Bungie spend multiple years building someone else’s universe rather than creating a fresh franchise is measurable.

The Broader Star Wars Gaming Landscape

Star Wars games are experiencing genuine resurgence after a relatively quiet period in the market. The upcoming releases Galactic Racer and Zero Company are drawing publisher and player attention, signaling renewed appetite for Star Wars gaming experiences. Sony has also demonstrated willingness to partner with capable external studios on licensed projects, as shown through its ongoing work with Insomniac Games on Marvel titles. A similar arrangement with Bungie on a Star Wars project would fit within established patterns of how major publishers currently approach licensed intellectual property.

The actual decision about who develops Battlefront 3 will ultimately depend on which studio can best meet Lucasfilm’s specific creative vision, align with EA’s publishing interests if EA remains the publisher, and satisfy Sony’s expectations regarding Bungie’s future. None of these variables are currently settled, and negotiations at this level typically remain confidential until all parties are ready to announce.

The Question of Timeline

Whenever Battlefront 3 is formally announced, it will have already spent considerable time in negotiation, pre-production planning, and creative direction discussions. AAA game development timelines have stretched substantially over the past decade. A new Battlefront title probably remains years away from official announcement. Some industry observers have speculated that a formal reveal might not occur until the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix console cycle is well underway, potentially five or more years into the future.

Source: Kotaku