A new report suggests Lucasfilm is actively searching for a development partner to make Star Wars: Battlefront 3, with DICE and Bungie reportedly among the studios being considered.

The rumour comes from the Quartermann column in the latest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM #265). Industry reporter Jeff Grubb discussed the report during the 19 October episode of Giant Bomb’s Game Mess Mornings.



According to the report, Lucasfilm is looking for a studio to take the franchise forward, but no developer has fully committed to the project. That means Battlefront 3 has not been officially announced, and there is no confirmation that development has begun.

DICE would be the most familiar option. The studio developed both Star Wars Battlefront in 2015 and Star Wars Battlefront II in 2017, building the large-scale multiplayer battles that helped define the modern reboot of the franchise.

However, the original launch of Battlefront II was overshadowed by a controversial loot-box system that attracted widespread criticism over its progression and monetisation. EA subsequently changed the system, and the game spent years rebuilding its reputation through gameplay updates and additional content.

EA officially concluded its major content support for Battlefront II in April 2020, following more than two years of free updates. The game has continued to attract players since then, with Steam tracking showing a sizeable increase in activity during May 2026 before numbers dropped again in subsequent months.

Bungie would be the more surprising choice. The studio is best known for Halo and Destiny, both of which demonstrate its experience with large-scale science-fiction shooters and long-running multiplayer ecosystems. It has also worked with Lucasfilm through Star Wars-themed content in Destiny 2.

Sony’s ownership of Bungie makes the possibility particularly interesting. A Sony-owned studio potentially developing a major Star Wars multiplayer game would be an unusual arrangement, although ownership alone would not determine which platforms a hypothetical Battlefront 3 might support.

The rumour arrives at an interesting time for the wider Star Wars gaming business.

Following the end of EA’s exclusive Star Wars game licensing agreement in 2023, Lucasfilm has been working with a wider range of developers. The company has since expanded its portfolio beyond traditional action adventures, exploring different genres and working with smaller studios.

Speaking to The Game Business Show, Lucasfilm Games vice president Douglas Reilly recently explained that the company has become more flexible about who can pitch Star Wars projects.

“You don’t have to necessarily be a top five publisher to make a great Star Wars game,” Reilly said, while stressing that Lucasfilm still maintains a high quality bar for its projects.

Reilly also made clear that major releases remain important to the strategy, describing large AAA games such as Battlefront as an essential part of the company’s plans. He added that Lucasfilm is exploring projects with a range of partners that could continue to surprise fans.

Those comments do not confirm a new Battlefront, but they provide useful context for the current rumour. Lucasfilm appears interested in broadening its portfolio while continuing to pursue major releases that can attract a large audience.

Original article on GLITCHED

Written by Marco Cocomello