Star Wars Battlefront 2 is “Dramatically Larger” Than Predecessor, Possible Playtest On March 9.

On another conference call, Electronic Arts CFO Blake Jorgensen reiterated that DICE’s Star Wars: Battlefront 2 will be much larger and more immersive than its predecessor, which is slated to get a playtest pretty soon. He also touched upon a currently-untitled action game that’s in development by one of EA’s other studios.

 

 

From The Star Wars Game Outpost:

“[The next Star Wars Battlefront] is dramatically larger than the last one. It will have a single-player component to it. We’ll add a lot of new Star Wars characters that we didn’t have in the first game two years ago because it was before the two movies that have come out. The Star Wars universe is just unbelievable to build games in, because it’s so vast. So, [it’s] very exciting.”

 

Sequel Trilogy content was a given, considering its absence in the original game aside from the few Jakku maps, but the emphasis on Rogue One content is also pretty interesting. The movie definitely lends itself to the kind of expansion that only a game like Battlefront could give, so it won’t be too surprising if a bulk of the new Galactic Civil War Era content takes inspiration from the standalone film. Still no word on anything about the Clone Wars Era, but given that it sounds like EA is really listening to the fans, it’s bound to be represented in some way (more on that in just a second).

 

Furthermore, Jorgensen also said a little something about one of EA’s other Star Wars titles:

“[…] we’ve got a Star Wars action game, which is very open; it’s great to explore in a Star Wars universe,” he said. “Part of the action genre is all about that exploration.”

 

It’s not clear if this action game is the one being developed by Visceral Games or by Respawn Entertainment. Conventional wisdom would suggest the former, considering that it’s been in development for a longer period of time. On an incidental note, both BioWare and Motive Studios, who are involved with the development of ongoing Star Wars games, will be shifting their efforts to new sci-fi IPs.

 

In addition, TSWGO also reported that it appears as though DICE are making preparations for a Battlefront playtest in Stockholm, Sweden:

With development on the next Battlefront game in full swing, it looks like the project may be reaching a playable state. That’s because a playtest for what is likely the Battlefront sequel will be happening in Stockholm, Sweden on March 9. Posted on the EA Playtesting Facebook page and noticed by Elliot of BattlefrontUpdates, this event is for a “Star Wars™ Battlefront session at EA DICE”.

 

While the game referred to in the flyer is allegedly the 2015 game, this doesn’t make a whole lot of sense considering that the final DLC expansion package for the game came and went with the release of Rogue One. So it’s sounding a lot like this could be a playtest for Battlefront 2 and not an unnecessary one for the game that’s had all of its major content released already. In any case, this project is evidently looking into the input of the fanbase, who have vocally stated what they like and dislike about DICE’s first game. We’ll be sure to learn more about Battlefront 2 at the recently-announced Star Wars Gaming panel at Celebration Orlando, but until then, SWNN will keep you covered.

 

+ posts

Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.

Grant Davis (Pomojema)

Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.

53 thoughts on “Star Wars Battlefront 2 is “Dramatically Larger” Than Predecessor, Possible Playtest On March 9.

  • March 2, 2017 at 8:37 am
    Permalink

    Ohhhhh, will it have more pixels and pretties colors too? Please. Just make the game fun. How will it be more fun? I want to know that, not that is is bigger. The first game was big enough. It was what you did that had a lack of depth and was less than fun.

    • March 2, 2017 at 4:30 pm
      Permalink

      I’m still having tons of fun in Battlefront. What wasn’t fun about it?

      • March 2, 2017 at 11:35 pm
        Permalink

        It’s not that it wasn’t fun, it just had the depth of a shallow pond. There was no meat to it. It didn’t have the staying power with most people, it was just a fun little distraction for a couple of hours and then gathered dust.

        Not trying to be mean about it or anything, I really want it to be successful. The graphics, sound and feel of the game were perfect, and I really want something with staying power.

        It also really needs a single player/coop campaign like the first two games. Online is fine, but how cool were the campaigns in the original two? And what about the space combat? These are all reasons it just wasn’t what it should have been.

        • March 2, 2017 at 11:55 pm
          Permalink

          With you on the campaign. It was sorely needed. They added space combat in the DLC. I would rather they just save spaceflight for a stand-alone sim ala TIE Fighter, though.

        • March 3, 2017 at 12:01 am
          Permalink

          Don’t even care about campaigns. All I really want is two things 1) more offline play, both single and couch co-op 2) more objective-based gameplay. The matches as they are never feel focused on achieving any particular goals, and they get pretty boring pretty quick as a result. To really knock it out of the park for me, DICE could revamp their vehicle system…because it flat out SUCKS on toast. Vehicles shouldn’t be powerups, they should spawn in logical places as god intended. And let me drive a damn at-at for cripes sake. Grumble grumble…get off my lawn.

        • March 24, 2017 at 8:53 am
          Permalink

          A lot of people liked it. Forgot you’re opinion is “fact”. Loser.

    • March 2, 2017 at 5:54 pm
      Permalink

      I agree 100%. I ended up buying SW: Battlefront when it was on sale, and it got really old really fast. I actually can’t remember the last time I bothered to fire it up and play it.

      Yes, it’s the most amazing-looking Star Wars vid game I’ve ever seen. Visual/graphics-wise, it’s so far out in front that I don’t know what I’d even consider to be in second place behind it. I think they did a tremendous job as far as that aspect of the game goes.

      But gameplay-wise, it’s got the depth of a greeting card!

      Seriously, there’s little more to it than “spawn-die-spawn-die-spawn-die-spawn-die-spawn-die-spawn-die.” Yeah, there’s leveling and new equipment which holds at least a bit of interest, but the game experience itself doesn’t really hold any surprises or discoveries. It’s just running around the same old game maps trying to kill more often than you get killed.

      I’m really hoping that Battlefront 2 is a deeper, more interesting experience than that.

  • March 2, 2017 at 10:34 am
    Permalink

    Anyone who knows anything about videogame development knows that it was the plan all along. Same as ripping off customers from the start (in order to pile up funds quickly) and then changing things and “apologizing” when the goal was achieved. Now they’ll invest a little bit from that pile to make a bigger pile and so on… I’m an old-school gamer and I can’t stand these new bussiness practices in gaming industry. Not amused one bit.

    • March 2, 2017 at 3:14 pm
      Permalink

      Yup. EA Battlefraud 1 was nothing more than a play test we had to pay for…

      • March 2, 2017 at 4:52 pm
        Permalink

        Wrong

        • March 2, 2017 at 6:25 pm
          Permalink

          oooookay, dude. It’s my opinion.

          • March 2, 2017 at 6:36 pm
            Permalink

            Right, but it’s wrong. It wasn’t just a playtest. I mean, I didn’t even like the game, but it wasn’t that.

            That’s just my opinion.

    • March 2, 2017 at 4:29 pm
      Permalink

      Or…it took a lot of time and money to get all of the assets and mechanics and physics put together on the first game, and now that that’s done they can focus on just new art and gameplay tweaks. Not everything’s a conspiracy. They’re running a business, not a charity.

    • March 2, 2017 at 4:52 pm
      Permalink

      Anyone who knows anything about video game development knows that you are wrong.

      Disney likely gave them a mandate to release Battlefront in time for TFA marketing blitz. They then added to it after release with the stuff they couldn’t get done in time.

      I’m an old school gamer and I know what’s up.

      • March 2, 2017 at 4:58 pm
        Permalink

        Really I bet it was a joint agreement/part of the deal they signed. Disney probably wanted a game in time for TFA and EA told them they could do it. While DICE was like… wait you want it finished by when!?

        • March 2, 2017 at 6:36 pm
          Permalink

          Exactly.

      • March 3, 2017 at 4:05 am
        Permalink

        It’s pretty clear to me that you’re both right. EA is greedy and Disney wanted the game by the end of the year.

  • March 2, 2017 at 12:19 pm
    Permalink

    This is gonna be like Assassin’s Creed 1 & 2, where part 2 is everything part 1 should’ve been on release.

    • March 3, 2017 at 4:48 pm
      Permalink

      and you will have to pay a season pass fee to get the whole game lol.

  • March 2, 2017 at 3:39 pm
    Permalink

    “We’ll add a lot of new Star Wars characters that we didn’t have in
    the first game two years ago because it was before the two movies that
    have come out.”
    Hahahahahhahaah
    That’s ridiculous. They’re still going strong with their OT and ST only mindset?
    There’s Rey, Poe, Kylo Ren and Finn from TFA. And Jyn, Cassian, Kaytoo, Chirrut, Baze and Bodhi from Rogue One.

    I mean for reals DICE?

    • March 2, 2017 at 4:51 pm
      Permalink

      You took a lot from a little comment.

      • March 2, 2017 at 10:15 pm
        Permalink

        That’s what I do!

  • March 2, 2017 at 4:24 pm
    Permalink

    I’m in now with single player.

    • March 2, 2017 at 5:11 pm
      Permalink

      Me too.

  • March 2, 2017 at 4:38 pm
    Permalink

    I’d like to have spitscreen co-op campaign…how come nobody does this anymore???

    • March 2, 2017 at 4:51 pm
      Permalink

      B/c you shouldn’t spit on your screen

      • March 2, 2017 at 5:29 pm
        Permalink

        ha! oh you.

    • March 2, 2017 at 7:12 pm
      Permalink

      Because they want you to have an online subscription. I’m seeing very little offline or multiplayer that doesn’t require internet these days. It’s a shame because offline, story mode coop is one of the most enjoyable things you can do in gaming. My daughter and I still play through old games like Resistance for that reason.

    • March 2, 2017 at 7:42 pm
      Permalink

      Same here, co-op with your friends in the same room almost always trumps online play in terms of enjoyment. It really bugs me to see how many developers have forgotten this simple fact. Playing with friends in person > playing with friends online.

  • March 2, 2017 at 4:55 pm
    Permalink

    I may not be a fan of the PT… but I can’t stress enough how it’s inclusion to Battlefront would be perfectly fine by me. Lots of hardware and armor to choose from.

    • March 2, 2017 at 8:41 pm
      Permalink

      Re: “I may not be a fan of the PT.”

      A top-notch FPS + squad game came out of PT – Republic Commando.

      Still bummed that they didn’t continue with that as a series.

    • March 3, 2017 at 4:04 am
      Permalink

      I agree. I’m not a fan of those films, but they really lend themselves to video games and toys.

  • March 2, 2017 at 5:18 pm
    Permalink

    I am very curious for that games, specially the Amy Henning’s one. I like a lot that writer, played almost every Legacy of Kain games, and the 4 Uncharteds. The writing really is an standout. I can only imagine her addition in the canon lore.

    I played a lot Battlefront 2 on PS2, but the online focus of the last year interation really put me of. Maybe with the single player campaign, I can give a shot.

    The Respawn Entertainment’s game is the most misterious so far… Almost no info on him. Hope they reveal something in the comig months.

  • March 2, 2017 at 6:42 pm
    Permalink

    HYPE

  • March 2, 2017 at 7:03 pm
    Permalink

    anyone remember the podracing game on N64? yeah I do !!! I wasn’t any good but it was awesome.

    • March 2, 2017 at 8:26 pm
      Permalink

      The N64 was by far the best console for Star Wars Games.
      1) Shadows of the Empire
      2) Rogue Squadron
      3) Podracing

      • March 2, 2017 at 8:39 pm
        Permalink

        Re: “N64 was by far the best console for Star Wars Games”
        Might well be the case, but for best SW games, PC was platform of choice!
        With KOTOR & Jedi Knight series (ah…fond memories of turning *dismemberment* on – now that’s a lightsaber).

        Battlefront –
        Enjoyed the old ones on Xbox, but never bought the new one – didn’t like the lack of single player. Really want to play/explore these locations offline w/o kiddies out there sniping me. 😉 A little story also goes a long ways.

      • March 2, 2017 at 9:22 pm
        Permalink

        I’m inclined to agree even though it wasn’t Nintendo’s finest. You forgot Battle For Naboo which actually made me appreciate TPM more.

        Although GC also had some solid entries with Rogue Leader, Rebel Strike, and Bounty Hunter. Even Clone Wars wasn’t as bad as everyone said it was. The 90’s to early 00’s were a golden age for SW console gaming.

      • March 3, 2017 at 4:03 am
        Permalink

        Playstation 2, bruh. Both Battlefront games, ’nuff said.

        • March 3, 2017 at 4:07 am
          Permalink

          Ah the memories.

          I still play it sometimes on PC, with mods of course.

          • March 3, 2017 at 4:08 am
            Permalink

            Yeah, The PS2 also has Timesplitters 2, and that game is the best thing since sliced bread.

          • March 3, 2017 at 4:11 am
            Permalink

            Never played it, I’ll have to check it out.

            I used to play a lot of racing games and such. Need for Speed, Burnout, MX Unleashed, Downhill Domination.

  • March 2, 2017 at 7:19 pm
    Permalink

    Can’t wait, I’m still vegging out on Battlefront 1. Relby+SHarpshooter Card = You’re toast. Indoor maps TL50 Heavy Repeater + Berserker Card = You die. Endor map, X-8 Night Sniper Pistol + Sharpshooter = Headshot. Go ahead and try to snipe me from your safe little perch.

  • March 2, 2017 at 9:03 pm
    Permalink

    An idea, “Star Wars Stories” –

    Since they’ve perfectly the engine with the photogrammetry & amazing set-pieces for a variety of *existing* SW locations across decades of movie storytelling.

    An interesting way that they could *re-use* this & introduce an original game style, would be just telling “stories” within those locales.
    Something before/after/in-between the major events of the films, perhaps a mix of involving main characters & ancillary (/new – recurring?) characters?

    A bit like Shadows of Empire, except more like *missing chapters* from the main saga.

    I’d just like to see more story-driven, single player content in the SW universe.
    I realize that MP is all-the-rage & where it’s at for studios, but SW is all about the stories & character’s adventures. Having the amazing assets (& apparently more being developed for the engine) just seems the perfect opportunity to give us some story+character-driven experiences.

    • March 3, 2017 at 6:59 am
      Permalink

      Here’s another idea: Star Wars done by PlatinumGames.

      Either #1: A new storyline from either era and the ability to make some force combos on insane levels ala Force Unleahsed.

      or #2: A crossover with all known eras in the Disney canon with even more fun.

  • March 3, 2017 at 12:27 am
    Permalink

    Saying something is dramatically larger than the Battlefront is not saying a whole lot. Such a shallow game.

  • March 3, 2017 at 12:32 am
    Permalink

    I remember back when Star Wars Rebellion and Galactic Battleground were my top games to play. Tons of strategy, a solid plan of attack, even though the graphics sucked. Battlefront had all the style without the content and that is what put me off so bad. It looks like perhaps EA has gotten an earful from us, as well as LucasFilm, and are putting out a MUCH better offering that give the flash, action, and content we need. DLC is fine, if it isn’t used as a patch or Band-Aid for an error in original marketing.

    • March 3, 2017 at 12:35 am
      Permalink

      I still play Battlegrounds. Very fun strategy game.

      • March 3, 2017 at 12:38 am
        Permalink

        So do I…found it on a site a few years back for updated Windows formats. Good stuff!

    • March 3, 2017 at 12:39 am
      Permalink

      Oh man, Rebellion was ambitious indeed. I got the feeling that a number of mechanics never quite worked (spies for example) the way they were intended, but back in the day there were some ballsy SW games. Force Commander also gets some love in my book. The idea of carrying units over mission to mission as they leveled up was pretty awesome.

      • March 3, 2017 at 12:52 am
        Permalink

        But for a few times, I was always the Empire…Those Rebels were pounded into submission by 3 or 4 death stars and tons of TIEs and Star Destroyers. If they had shields and resisted invasion….a death star in orbit would scare the soup out of em. 🙂 Man, if they could make something like that again for the updated systems that improved on the original! I’d throw money at it!

  • March 3, 2017 at 7:06 pm
    Permalink

    There is potential. Battlefront, while shallow, certainly had the visual and sound down pat. I can see the original as a great foundation, let’s just hope they build something worthy of the franchise on top of that foundation.

  • March 6, 2017 at 1:45 pm
    Permalink

    It’s sounding more and more like they’re not including the Clone Wars. I’d rather have PT Era than ST Era in this game, tbh. So many more ships and environments. Still, I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Comments are closed.

LATEST POSTS ON MOVIE NEWS NET