EA and Disney have lifted the lid on Star Wars Battlefront II, officially revealing the new shooter at a panel at Star Wars Celebration over the weekend. As with the previous entry, Battlefront II will be developed primarily by DICE, but two more studios are also lending their talent for the sequel: EA’s new Motive studio, headed by former Ubisoft Toronto head Jade Raymond, as well as Criterion, developers of the Burnout series and the Star Wars Battlefront X-Wing VR Experience from last year.
The campaign for Battlefront II will take place in the 30-year period between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, and it will follow protagonist Iden Versio, leader of the elite Imperial unit Inferno Squad. During the campaign players will also get the chance to play as well-known characters such as Luke Skywalker and Kylo Ren. The campaign is being handled by Motive studio, according to EA, and is being developed in close partnership with the story team at Lucasfilm. It was also revealed that the story will be canon within the Star Wars universe.
In a statement at Star Wars Celebration, Motive game director Mark Thompson said “We wanted to create a campaign that told a story we haven’t seen before in Star Wars. It was important for us to tell a new authentic story, one that gives players a brand-new perspective. By putting players in the boots of an elite member of the Imperial forces, we can show them what the battle was like from the other side.”
Battlefront II’s multiplayer will once again be developed by DICE and it will span all three eras of Star Wars films. It will have playable heroes and villains including Rey, Luke, Yoda, Darth Maul, and more that have yet to be confirmed, and game modes will support up to 40 players with maps announced so far including Yavin 4, Mos Eisley, and Starkiller Base. Space battles are also making a return, with Criterion leading development in that area. EA stated that Battlefront II will offer “high stakes dogfights” with land and air vehicles including First Order TIE Fighters, the Millennium Falcon and more.
As well as the standard version of the game, an Elite Trooper Deluxe Edition is available for pre-order. As well as granting 3-days early access to the game, this edition will include four trooper upgrade packs including modifiers and modifications to outfit classes. Any pre-order of the game will also come with The Last Jedi Heroes pack, which includes exclusive Kylo Ren and Rey themed looks based on the characters’ appearances in the upcoming film, as well as modifiers for said characters and the Millennium Falcon.
Star Wars Battlefront II will be released on November 17th for PS4, Xbox One and PC (November 14th for Deluxe edition). Let us know in the comments below if you’ll be picking it up.
