How Close Was Battlefront 3 to Being Done?
The Star Wars franchise has a rich history of delivering thrilling gaming experiences, and the Battlefront series is no exception. However, one game that never saw the light of day is Star Wars Battlefront 3. In this article, we’ll delve into the fascinating story of how close Battlefront 3 was to being released.
Early Development and Cancellation
In 2008, LucasArts announced that Free Radical Design was developing Star Wars Battlefront 3. The game was expected to be a significant improvement over its predecessors, with new features and gameplay mechanics. However, in 2009, LucasArts cancelled the project, citing that Free Radical was missing deadlines and the game was not meeting expectations.
Steve Ellis’ Insights
In a 2012 interview, Steve Ellis, co-founder of Free Radical Design, revealed that the game was 99% complete when it was cancelled. Ellis stated that the team was very close to finishing the game, but ultimately, LucasArts decided to cancel the project due to the lack of resources and funding.
Reasons for Cancellation
There were several reasons why LucasArts cancelled Battlefront 3. One of the main reasons was that the game was not meeting the company’s expectations in terms of quality and gameplay. Additionally, the development team was struggling to deliver the game on time, which led to a significant delay.
EA’s Acquisition of LucasArts
In 2012, Electronic Arts (EA) acquired LucasArts, which led to a significant change in the company’s strategy. EA decided to reboot the Star Wars Battlefront series, releasing Star Wars Battlefront in 2015 and its sequel, Star Wars Battlefront II, in 2017.
Comparison with Battlefront II
Battlefront II was released in 2017, and while it received a mixed response from fans and critics, it did manage to improve upon the gameplay and features of the original Battlefront. However, it’s worth noting that Battlefront II was a reboot of the series, whereas Battlefront 3 would have been a direct sequel to the original Battlefront games.
Why EA Abandoned Battlefront II
In 2020, EA announced that it would be ending support for Star Wars Battlefront II, citing a decline in player engagement and a lack of new content. This decision was met with disappointment from fans, who had grown attached to the game.
Conclusion
Star Wars Battlefront 3 was a game that never saw the light of day, and its cancellation remains a mystery to this day. While we may never know exactly how close the game was to being released, Steve Ellis’ statement that it was 99% complete gives us a glimpse into the game’s development process. The cancellation of Battlefront 3 led to a significant change in the Star Wars gaming landscape, and while we may never see the game that was meant to be, we can only imagine what could have been.
Key Takeaways
- Star Wars Battlefront 3 was cancelled in 2009 due to the lack of resources and funding.
- The game was 99% complete when it was cancelled, according to Steve Ellis.
- LucasArts cancelled the game due to the lack of quality and gameplay.
- EA acquired LucasArts in 2012 and rebooted the Star Wars Battlefront series.
- Battlefront II was released in 2017 and received a mixed response from fans and critics.
- EA ended support for Battlefront II in 2020 due to a decline in player engagement and a lack of new content.
Timeline
- 2008: LucasArts announces Star Wars Battlefront 3.
- 2009: LucasArts cancels the game due to the lack of resources and funding.
- 2012: EA acquires LucasArts.
- 2015: EA releases Star Wars Battlefront.
- 2017: EA releases Star Wars Battlefront II.
- 2020: EA ends support for Battlefront II.
Table: Comparison of Battlefront 3 and Battlefront II
| Feature | Battlefront 3 | Battlefront II |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Cancelled | 2017 |
| Developer | Free Radical Design | DICE |
| Platforms | PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | PC, PS4, Xbox One |
| Gameplay | New features and mechanics | Improved gameplay and features |
| Reception | Cancelled | Mixed response |
| End of Support | 2009 | 2020 |
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