Included in the shocking news of EA's restructuring, which includes layoffs and the closure of BioWare, is a mention from the publisher that Apex Legends studio Respawn Entertainment and Battlefield maker DICE are collaborating on a project. According to a report, that project is a long-awaited sequel set in a galaxy far, far away.
Per Variety, which cites "multiple sources," the DICE and Respawn project is Star Wars Battlefront 3. While EA itself did not confirm this, the company's memo about the restructuring says that the studios' title will contribute to EA's goal of delivering a "shooter portfolio that unlocks growth."
EA specifically states that learnings from Battlefield 6's launch and live service will further that goal, while also announcing that Apex Legends will be expanded with new "gameplay modes" and "other new experiences."
As for the purported existence of Star Wars Battlefront 3, the timing coincides with a recent rumor that Lucasfilm Games was seeking a development partner for a new Battlefront, and that DICE and Sony-owned studio Bungie were among the studios being considered.
DICE had made two Star Wars Battlefront games for EA, which were released in 2015 and 2017. Battlefront 2 attracted criticism over loot boxes (remember when that was the hot controversy of the day?), but the game still proved to be massively popular. Last year, Battlefront 2 suddenly had a resurgence in players, with many hoping that it would ignite talks of a third Battlefront.
Outside of Battlefront and shooters, the Star Wars franchise has gained two new popular entries this year alone, with strategy game Star Wars Zero Company (which Respawn co-developed) and racing title Star Wars: Galactic Racer enjoying critical success.