A new Star Wars Battlefront game may be under consideration at Lucasfilm, with Bungie reportedly among the studios being discussed. The rumour is intriguing, but it also raises questions about whether the franchise needs a familiar developer or a completely different creative direction.
How the Battlefront 3 rumour began
The speculation traces back to a recent Electronic Gaming Monthly retrospective package. One of its Kickstarter rewards was a new digital issue, which reportedly revived the magazine’s Quartermann gossip column. That column claimed Lucasfilm was searching for a development partner for another Battlefront.
Jeff Grubb discussed the report on his Game Mess Morning podcast. The rumour identifies EA DICE as the obvious candidate, while also naming Bungie as a possible alternative.
The report says Lucasfilm has been looking for a studio to take on a follow-up, with EA DICE and Bungie reportedly circling the project. DICE would be the expected choice because of its previous work, while Bungie brings experience from Halo, Destiny and Marathon.
The claim remains unconfirmed, although others claiming to have heard similar reports have added fuel to the discussion. The timing has also helped the story spread, with Star Wars games such as Galactic Racer and Zero Company attracting attention this season.
Why Bungie would be an unusual choice
On paper, EA DICE appears to be the safer option. The studio has already made two successful Battlefront games, giving it established knowledge of the series’ large-scale combat, technology and player expectations. Handing the next instalment to a new team would mean starting much closer to the beginning.
Bungie would bring a strong record in science-fiction world-building, but that is not the same as making a large multiplayer war game set in the Star Wars universe. The studio has already shaped major sci-fi properties through Destiny and Marathon, so assigning it another licensed universe could limit the chance to develop a fresh intellectual property.
For fans following the wider arcade and gaming news landscape, the most interesting part of the rumour is not simply Bungie’s name. It is the possibility that Lucasfilm is actively looking for a new partner after nearly a decade without a follow-up to Star Wars Battlefront 2.
Bungie may need a major success
There is also a practical argument for the unusual pairing. Bungie is between major projects, with Marathon seemingly heading towards the end of its current run and Destiny 2 paused apart from the return of older content. The studio has also been significantly changed since Sony acquired it.
A large licensed game could offer a clearer commercial path than years of prototypes and pre-production on another entirely new project. Sony has already shown a willingness to work with external teams on licensed Marvel games, including projects from Insomniac Games, so a Bungie partnership involving Disney is not impossible in principle.
That does not make Bungie the ideal creative fit. Many players would prefer the studio to use its remaining talent and experience on a new universe rather than spend years adding another entry to the existing Star Wars catalogue. Those interested in building their own multiplayer-friendly setup can also explore arcade machines, arcade parts and the Arcade Machine Buying Guide.
Battlefront 3 is still a long way off
Regardless of which studio might be involved, another Battlefront would be welcome for many fans. However, modern AAA development takes years, and a project that has not even been officially announced could remain out of sight for a long time.
If the rumour proves accurate, the next Battlefront may not be revealed until the industry has moved deep into the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Project Helix console cycle. For now, Bungie’s involvement is only speculation, while Lucasfilm’s search for a developer remains the more significant possibility.
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