The Force is not with a new Battlefront: According to insider Tom Henderson, a third part fails because of the money question. EA probably doesn’t want to pay for the Star Wars license.
You could certainly call it a shake-up of the Force: Despite persistent rumours and the 2021 comeback of the second part, EA and DICE are reportedly not planning a Star Wars: Battlefront 3. According to a well-known insider, the interim sequel is off the table because Electronic Arts reportedly doesn’t want to shell out the money for the War of the Stars licence.
In fact, we would have already given some solid thoughts on what Star Wars: Battlefront 3 would need to look like and deliver.
Why you shouldn’t expect Battlefront 3
What’s the current status? Established industry insider Tom Henderson recently shared alleged information regarding the development of Star Wars: Battlefront 3. Henderson claims to have learned that EA had considered a sequel to the shooter series, but ultimately declined.
One of the main reasons for this was the licensing costs that EA would have had to pay for the Star Wars brand. According to Henderson’s information, the publisher would have had to generate 20 percent more revenue with Battlefront 3 in order to achieve the same profit.
In addition, many of the main Battlefront developers are no longer employed by EA or DICE – such as Dennis Brännvall – which also stood in the way of the potential project. It can’t be ruled out that DICE and EA will realise a Star Wars: Battlefront 3 at some point – but that will probably take a few more years.
Battlefront 3 was a pitched title from DICE, but ultimately, the title was shot down by EA due to licensing costs.
“It got turned down because it takes 20% more sales to make the same money,” said one past developer.
– Tom Henderson (@_Tom_Henderson_) November 20, 2021
Little consolation for fans: So according to Henderson, EA and DICE are not working on a new Battlefront, instead a new Battlefield after 2042 is much more likely. However, EA is said to have at least two more Star Wars games in development – one of which is almost certainly Jedi: Fallen Order 2 by Titanfall developer Respawn Entertainment.
In the coming years, we can expect a whole range of new Star Wars games anyway, since the licence is no longer exclusive to Electronic Arts. Ubisoft, for example, is working on an open-world title, a remake of Kotor 2 is in the works and there are rumours of games for The High Republic and The Mandalorian.
How credible is the info? Tom Henderson has become one of the most reliable sources in the gaming industry and regularly provides information on major shooter brands such as Call of Duty or Battlefield – but also GTA 6 – which usually comes true later. Henderson is therefore considered trustworthy and his prognosis on the future of Battlefront seems anything but far-fetched.
After all, back in 2019, DICE announced in conversation with (PCGamesN) that there would be no plans for a sequel, despite Battlefront 2’s continued popularity at the time. In the meantime, EA Vancouver and Criterion Games were even working on a Jedi: Fallen Order-style spin-off, but this was shelved again. There was another Star Wars title with Squadrons by Motive Studios.
The Battlefront comeback in 2021: After a mixed and controversial launch due to questionable lootbox mechanics, Battlefront 2 developed into a real multiplayer highlight in the following years. In 2021, a free promotion in the Epic Games Store caused the shooter to make a real comeback.
What do you think about the glimpses behind the scenes of EA and DICE: Would you have been happy about a Star Wars: Battlefront 3? Or can you easily do without it?
