Disney is reportedly exploring options for a new installment in the Star Wars Battlefront series, with sources indicating that both EA DICE and Bungie are being considered as potential developers. The renewed interest in a Star Wars Battlefront 3 comes amid the sustained popularity of 2017's Star Wars Battlefront 2.
The rumor originates from a new print issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly, included as part of the Electronic Gaming Monthly Compendium Kickstarter campaign. According to reporter Jeff Grubb, who contributed to the magazine, the EGM Compendium features a rumor column attributed to "Quarterman," a former news editor for the magazine.
Grubb relayed the rumor, stating that "suits at Lucasfilm have been aggressively deploying probe droids looking for a development partner to take on the task of creating a follow-up." He noted that while EA DICE is an unsurprising candidate, "the Qman hears that if the Force is not entrusted to DICE, it could land at none other than Halo, Destiny, and Marathon developer Bungie."
It is unclear if Bungie has officially stepped up for the project, or if EA DICE will be given the reins. Grubb clarified that "it doesn't sound like the game is in the works yet, but it does sound like there are conversations at the very least about who should take it on."
EA DICE developed the previous two Star Wars Battlefront games, released in 2015 and 2017 respectively. Before that, LucasArts and Pandemic developed a pair of Star Wars: Battlefront shooters, and a third game by Free Radical Design was ultimately canceled.
Disney's exclusive licensing agreement with Electronic Arts for Star Wars games expired in 2023. While EA is still working on a Star Wars Jedi game with Respawn Entertainment, the future of the Battlefront franchise remains uncertain. Both EA DICE and Bungie are currently supporting other major titles, including EA's Battlefield 6 and Bungie's Marathon and Destiny 2. Bungie has previous experience with Star Wars content, having released a Star Wars-themed expansion for Destiny 2 titled "Renegades" last December.