A new report suggests that Star Wars Battlefront 3 is in development, with EA's Apex Legends studio, Respawn Entertainment, and Battlefield maker DICE collaborating on the project. This news emerges amid EA's recent restructuring, which included layoffs and the closure of BioWare.
According to Variety, which cites multiple sources, the collaboration between DICE and Respawn is focused on a new entry in the Star Wars Battlefront series. EA's internal memo regarding the restructuring mentioned that these studios' title would contribute to the company's objective of delivering a "shooter portfolio that unlocks growth." The publisher also noted that lessons learned from the launch and live service of Battlefield 6 would support this goal, while also announcing plans to expand Apex Legends with new gameplay modes and experiences.
The purported development of Star Wars Battlefront 3 aligns with recent rumors that Lucasfilm Games was seeking a partner for a new Battlefront game, with DICE and Bungie reportedly considered. DICE previously developed two Star Wars Battlefront games for EA, released in 2015 and 2017. While the 2017 title, Battlefront 2, faced criticism regarding its loot box mechanics, it maintained significant popularity. A resurgence in players for Battlefront 2 last year fueled speculation about a potential third installment.
Beyond the Battlefront franchise, Star Wars has seen other recent gaming successes, including the strategy game Star Wars Zero Company, co-developed by Respawn, and the racing title Star Wars: Galactic Racer, both of which have received critical acclaim this year.