In a surprising and exciting development for fans of the Star Wars Battlefront franchise, former developers of Star Wars Battlefront II (2017) have voiced their eagerness to reunite and work on a long-awaited Star Wars Battlefront III. The sentiment, led by Mats Helge Holm, a former quality assurance analyst and associate producer on the Star Wars Battlefront II Celebration Edition, comes as the game experiences a remarkable resurgence in popularity, fueled in part by the success of the Disney+ series Andor and a renewed interest in the Star Wars universe.
Holm’s comments, made in a Reddit thread on the r/StarWarsBattlefront subreddit (and first spotted by VGC), have sparked hope among fans that a third installment in the modern Star Wars Battlefront series could become a reality. Responding to a fan’s inquiry about which developers would be willing to return to the franchise, Holm stated, “Me, and having heard around my group of ex-colleagues, we want to get the gang back together.” This statement reflects a collective desire among some former DICE team members to revive the series, which has not seen a new entry since Star Wars Battlefront II launched in 2017. However, Holm tempered expectations by noting that logistical challenges, such as the relocation of key team members like former creative director Dennis Brännvall, could complicate efforts to reassemble the original team.
The Star Wars Battlefront series, originally launched in 2004 by Pandemic Studios with Star Wars: Battlefront and followed by Star Wars: Battlefront II in 2005, was rebooted by EA’s DICE studio in 2015. The 2017 sequel, developed by DICE in collaboration with Criterion Games and Motive Studios, expanded on its predecessor with a single-player campaign following Imperial-turned-Rebel commander Iden Versio, alongside robust multiplayer modes spanning all three Star Wars cinematic eras. Despite a rocky launch marred by controversy over loot box monetization, Star Wars Battlefront II was later redeemed through extensive post-launch support, including free content updates like the Star Wars: The Last Jedi season and the Battle of Scarif update, which added locations, heroes, and a continuation of the single-player story. By April 2020, EA concluded support for the game, having achieved its target player base and significantly improved its reception.
The recent surge in Star Wars Battlefront II’s player base, particularly on Steam, where concurrent player counts have climbed to over 9,700—rivaling peaks from over four years ago—has reignited interest in the franchise. This revival has been attributed to multiple factors, including the release of Andor Season 2, which has brought renewed attention to the gritty, grounded storytelling that resonates with the game’s aesthetic. The game’s accessibility through platforms like EA Play, the Epic Games Store, and backwards compatibility on modern consoles has also contributed to its resurgence.
Adding to the momentum, Andor actor Muhannad Ben Amor, who plays Wilmon in the series, recently expressed his passion for the Battlefront franchise, further fueling speculation about a potential Star Wars Battlefront III. In a post on Instagram, Ben Amor revealed he has logged 469 hours in Star Wars Battlefront II and called for EA to deliver a sequel, stating, “Star Wars gotta give us Battlefront 3... ASAP. Grew up with Battlefront 2 — been a veteran since day one.” His comments highlight the strong connection between the Star Wars fanbase and the Battlefront series, particularly among those inspired by Andor’s nuanced take on the galaxy far, far away.
However, the path to Star Wars Battlefront III faces significant hurdles. In 2021, industry insider Tom Henderson reported that DICE had pitched a third installment to EA, but the project was rejected due to high licensing costs, which would require 20% more sales to achieve the same financial returns as other EA titles. With key developers having moved on to projects like Battlefield 2042 and EA focusing on other Star Wars titles—such as Respawn Entertainment’s Star Wars Jedi series and the upcoming strategy game Star Wars Zero Company—the prospects for a new Battlefront game remain uncertain.
Holm himself acknowledged the challenges, suggesting that a remaster of Star Wars Battlefront II could serve as a testing ground before committing to a full-fledged sequel. He also noted that creating new content, such as an Andor-themed expansion, would require a six-month development cycle with a sufficiently staffed team, which DICE currently lacks due to its focus on other projects.
Despite these obstacles, the enthusiasm from former developers and fans alike underscores the enduring appeal of the Star Wars Battlefront series. The combination of visceral multiplayer combat, iconic Star Wars characters, and immersive battlegrounds across planets like Naboo, Hoth, and Scarif continues to captivate players. The renewed interest, coupled with the vocal support of figures like Holm and Ben Amor, suggests that the dream of Star Wars Battlefront III remains alive, even if its realization depends on EA’s willingness to revisit the franchise.
For now, fans can continue to enjoy Star Wars Battlefront II, available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and through backwards compatibility on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. As the galaxy far, far away continues to expand with new stories and characters, the call to “get the gang back together” serves as a hopeful reminder that the Battlefront series still holds a special place in the hearts of developers and players alike.
