In 2017, Electronic Arts (EA) and DICE released Star Wars Battlefront II, a multiplayer shooter set in the iconic Star Wars universe. Despite its stunning visuals, immersive gameplay, and a robust roster of characters from the franchise, the game faced a rocky launch due to controversies surrounding loot boxes and microtransactions. Over time, EA addressed these issues with significant updates, including new maps, characters, and a single-player campaign, earning back the trust of its dedicated fanbase and establishing the game as a beloved title in the Star Wars gaming catalog.
Developed as a reboot of the classic 2005 game of the same name, Star Wars Battlefront II offered players large-scale battles across iconic planets like Hoth, Endor, and Scarif, with modes like Galactic Assault and Heroes vs. Villains. The game’s passionate community and steady stream of updates, such as the “Battle on Scarif” expansion, kept it alive despite no major content additions since 2020. Now, nearly eight years after its debut, the game is experiencing an unexpected and thrilling resurgence.
Following the finale of Andor Season 2 on Disney+, Star Wars Battlefront II has seen a massive surge in player counts across platforms. According to SteamDB, the game hit a peak of nearly 8,000 concurrent players on Steam over the weekend of May 17-18, 2025, marking its highest numbers since January 2021. On Xbox, it climbed to the 22nd most-played game, surpassing titles like Destiny 2 and Halo. The spike began around May 2, 2025, coinciding with the release of Fortnite’s Galactic Battles season and a 60% discount on Star Wars Battlefront II across platforms from May 1-4, making it accessible for just $9.99. The timing also aligns with Star Wars Day on May 4 and the 20th anniversary theatrical re-release of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, fueling fan excitement.
The resurgence is likely driven by a perfect storm of Star Wars enthusiasm. Andor Season 2, which concluded on May 13, 2025, has been a critical and fan favorite, reigniting interest in the gritty, rebellion-focused side of the franchise. Posts on X highlight fans’ hunger for Star Wars content, with one user noting, “Andor got everyone excited to fight the Empire,” reflecting the show’s influence on players returning to Battlefront II’s rebel vs. imperial battles.
Additionally, Fortnite’s Star Wars-themed season, featuring characters like General Grievous, has drawn attention to the franchise, with some players turning to Battlefront 2 for a more dedicated multiplayer Star Wars experience. Community efforts, including double XP weekends and the Kyber V2 mod, have further boosted engagement, with Twitch streamers and Reddit’s r/StarWarsBattlefront community sharing strategies and hosting events to keep the momentum alive.
Will We See Star Wars Battlefront 3?
The revival of Star Wars Battlefront II has sparked renewed calls for a third installment. Fans on X and Reddit’s r/StarWarsBattlefront have launched petitions urging EA and Disney to develop Star Wars Battlefront III, emphasizing the game’s unique niche as the only major multiplayer Star Wars shooter. One petition on X stated, “EA Games, in collaboration with Disney, has the unique opportunity to reignite this excitement by developing Star Wars Battlefront III,” capturing the sentiment of a community eager for more. The game’s recent success, with some unverified claims on X suggesting up to 80,000–90,000 concurrent players across all platforms, underscores the demand for a new title.
However, the prospect of Star Wars Battlefront III remains uncertain. EA’s exclusive deal to publish AAA Star Wars console games ended in 2023, opening the door for other developers, but no official plans for a third game have been announced. Moderators on r/StarWarsBattlefront have restricted posts about Battlefront III due to repetitive speculation, indicating both passion and frustration among fans. While the current resurgence proves the enduring appeal of the Battlefront series, EA’s focus has shifted to other Star Wars projects, like Respawn’s Jedi series. For now, fans are making the most of Battlefront II, but the hope for a sequel burns brighter than ever as the Star Wars gaming community rallies around this unexpected comeback.
Source: Steam
