Star Wars Battlefront 3 Reportedly in Development at DICE and Respawn as Bungie Rumors Fade

Star Wars Battlefront 3 could finally be moving forward, with Electronic Arts reportedly assigning development to DICE and Respawn Entertainment rather than Bungie. According to Variety, multiple industry sources have identified the long awaited sequel as the collaborative project recently confirmed by EA, potentially bringing together the developers behind Battlefield, Apex Legends and Star Wars Jedi.

The revelation follows an earlier report from Electronic Gaming Monthly's Quartermann column, which suggested Lucasfilm Games was evaluating potential development partners for another Battlefront installment. Both EA DICE and Sony owned Bungie were reportedly under consideration, raising the possibility that the studio responsible for Halo, Destiny and Marathon could take over the franchise. Industry journalist Jeff Grubb discussed the claims during Game Mess Mornings, expressing skepticism about Bungie's involvement while suggesting DICE remained the more likely developer.

However, the situation changed following EA's October 21 restructuring announcement. In its official corporate statement, the publisher confirmed that DICE and Respawn would collaborate on an upcoming project as part of its renewed investment in multiplayer shooters. Although EA did not publicly identify the game, Variety's sources subsequently reported that the collaboration involves Star Wars Battlefront 3.

The potential partnership makes considerable sense from a development perspective. DICE has extensive experience creating massive multiplayer battlefields, vehicle combat and large scale environments through its Frostbite engine. Meanwhile, Respawn brings expertise in responsive shooting mechanics, character abilities and Star Wars storytelling, potentially creating opportunities to expand the gameplay formula established by the previous Battlefront titles.

Interest in the franchise remains substantial despite the absence of a new installment since 2017. Star Wars Battlefront II experienced a major resurgence in 2025, reaching a record 35,892 concurrent Steam players in June. The renewed popularity demonstrated that the franchise could continue attracting audiences years after official content support ended in 2020.

The reports also follow Lucasfilm's search for potential Battlefront development partners, reflecting the company's broader strategy of collaborating with multiple publishers following the end of EA's exclusive Star Wars licensing arrangement.

The timing is notable as EA undergoes substantial restructuring following its $55 billion acquisition, including the closure of BioWare and cancellation of the next Mass Effect. The publisher is increasingly prioritizing established franchises and major multiplayer projects, with Battlefield 6 and Apex Legends remaining central to its shooter portfolio.

Despite the increasingly credible reports, Star Wars Battlefront 3 has not received an official announcement from EA or Lucasfilm. No release window, platforms, gameplay features or development timeline have been confirmed.

A collaboration between DICE and Respawn could offer one of the strongest development combinations for a new Battlefront game. DICE understands the franchise's large scale warfare, while Respawn has demonstrated its ability to deliver polished gunplay and compelling Star Wars experiences.

However, the biggest challenge may not be technology or combat mechanics, but rebuilding player confidence. Battlefront II's original launch suffered from controversial progression and monetization systems, damaging its reputation before years of updates improved the experience.

A successful sequel should prioritize balanced progression, expansive battles, meaningful content and long term community support. If EA can combine the strengths of both studios without repeating previous monetization mistakes, Battlefront 3 could become a major contender in the multiplayer shooter market.

Would you prefer Star Wars Battlefront 3 developed by DICE and Respawn together, or would you rather see Bungie bring its Halo and Destiny experience to the Star Wars universe?