EA Intends To "Double Down" On Star Wars Video Game Development

Does this mean doubling down on their surprise mechanics? Because if so, I'll be doubling on my not supporting them.

Battlefront 2 has grown like Splatoon 1 did into a massive, high-quality game via lots of free updates after EA backtracked on their loot box policy soon after the game's launch. Only got Jedi Fallen Order recently but so far it's pretty good. Appreciate this may be offensive to some, but I have no issue with EA making more Star Wars games. Squadrons looks great too.

Wouldn’t mind seeing Fallen Order on the Switch.

Arts, electronic or not, surely require a modicum of originality?

Please, Nintendolife, tell me more about EA!

@JohnnyC I have to agree. Once Disney slapped em around a bit due to Battlefront 2s initial release, theyve done some good stuff. Heres hoping theres just more of it. So far we've only had 3 games release? Not counting mobile or Squadrons.

EA, or rather Disney, needs to allow there to simply be two Star Wars timelines. The old expanded universe - the Star Wars I actually like - and the new canon: AKA Disney Wars.

It's not that hard. Many big franchises have done it for DECADES. Marvel, DC, Gundam are all huge, long running franchises going back literally decades with literally tens of millions of fans around the world, with MORE than 2 timelines.

Having both time lines would only let EA and Disney milk the franchise more! But you could actually satisfy many more people.

Because I know I'm not remotely the only person who overwhelmingly prefers what Disney now calls "Legends" and refuses to allow new content to be made in.

I'm no expert but would fallen order even be possible on switch? I mean I've already played it on PS4 but I'd love switch owners to be able to play it! It's really good! EA usually doesn't have the best games but they did a damn fine job on that one!

Now somebody get Kotor on switch and fast!

Well it isn't as if they can do any damage to the franchise after Lucas's wasted prequels and Disney's complete lack of imagination movie's. Star wars is a Shadow of the IP it used to be.

As a fan since the originals I've enjoyed all the movies but yeah nothing beats the classic trilogy! Back when it was all new and exciting! When we old timers were just plucky youngsters instead of salty sarcastic old farts longing for our childhoods.

I’ve only ever played rouge squadron and battle for naboo

@sandman89
Do yourself a favor and look up Rogue leader on gamecube! It's even better than Rogue squadron!

As much of a fan as I am for Battlefront, Squadrons and Fallen Order, I don’t see it really likely that any of these are coming to Switch. I don’t really see,
overall, how this relates to Switch anyhow, even if it is EA.
LEGO Star Wars being on Switch doesn’t qualify this for relevancy, EA isn’t involved with that.

@PhilKenSebben Agreed, but in fairness they've been massive, well-made games. When you consider the rate at which other developers crank out big-budget titles (including Nintendo), 3 (4 if you count Squadrons later this year) in 5 years isn't terrible.

Shame vast majority will not be anywhere near Switch. Being fair, there has been some great games involving Star Wars. Probably already mentioned in the replies.

@JohnnyC Yeah, I couldve worded that better. Wasnt meant as a criticism. The longterm support both BF got was amazing. Hoping Squadrons gets the same. I'm just selfish and want more.

@LEGEND_MARIOID These great Star Wars games have been made by great developers, not by modern EA. Follow the talent, not the IP.

We can hope for some good games in the future, sure why not. But EA having exclusivity over the Star Wars license has already demonstrated to produce mediocre products, with less imagination and variety.

It’s like going to the same restaurant expecting their rubbery steak to be tender next time. After a while you just give up on the establishment.

@PhilKenSebben Same here! First-World problems!

@Thannus 100% agree with you. Don't see this information as relevant to the Switch players as we know that EA will not put any effort to either port these games or create an exclusive one for a Nintendo console.
This article shouldn't be here.

@Thannus Agreed. Unless EA starts to make bespoke Star Wars titles for the Switch, this is unlikely to be relevant to Nintendo. They could possibly port Battlefront I, but not sure why anyone would play that as everyone's moved on to the sequel.

None of those Star Wars games will be on Switch.

Honestly its kinda hard to be excited about Star Wars at this point given how poorly the Sequel Trilogy concluded. Jedi Fallen Order and Clone Wars Season 7 (and Star Wars Squadron) were great but are set between the events of Ep III and IV, which limits the creative appeal of the Star Wars brand for me.

@JohnnyC I suppose that if they wanted, they could port the fallen order.
I remember that Force Unleash was available on Wii and Wii U.
So, perhaps, they could scale down Fallen Order to more or less that level.
Obviously it wasn't them that developed those games but we can get the idea as these games are similar in terms of what they proposed.

Fallen Jedi was so overpraised at the time.
Really didn't enjoy it, generous 6/10

Of course it does. It knows it can churn out any old s**t and people will buy it because, well, its star wars. The franchise is a cash cow and EA is the master of milking cows.

@Retron That sounds like great news! Let's go back to the old expanded universe! The Thrawn Trilogy is 1000 times better than the sequel trilogy!

@Kochambra i know im getting a bit fed up witht the flag waving for EA as well. the proof is in actual games on shelves until then I wish theyd shut up about EA.

@tourjeff Yeah, but Force Unleashed was rough as sandpaper on Wii compared to the other formats. I bought it on Wii for the motion controls (the Wii remote was MADE for lightsabre sims - well done on blowing that Nintendo) but traded it in for the ps3 version. Not in a rush to see a downscaled version of a game that big and pretty.

All I want are the Dark Forces ad Rogue Squadron games. Maybe the old X-Wing and Tie Fighter games, too, but that's pushing it.

But since they make practically no Star Wars games for the Switch, why am I even interested?

I love Star Wars, but not microtransactions and shady businesses. Hard pass, EA.

Yet we won't see any of the big games on Switch most likely. Would love to see Fallen Order, Battlefront and Squadrons on Switch.

The old ports we have had look good, but it would've been nice to see the likes of Podracer properly remastered

Guess I will have to buy a PlayStation now since Nintendo seems to not be in a hurry to increase hardware to accommodate at least a port from EA future Star Wars game, instead we get yet another (Insert Franchise) Lego Game. I love my Switch but feel sometimes Nintendo needs to get plugged into tech trends otherwise the Switch outside Nintendo brand games will be the console of ports and 16 to 28 bit Indies.

So, this is an article about what EA is planning on doing with Star Wars on other consoles? Because we know they aren't going to put any effort into putting anything new they do on Switch. At best we'll get some lazy mobile port.

I have fallen order and battlefront on PS4 but does this news effect switch?

The only thing we get star wars wise is super old ports like podracer from the other day, which wasn't even ea.

@Heavyarms55 You're definitely right about not being the only person that prefers the "Legends". I wasted a lot of hours/life growing up invested in those stories. I was always hoping they'd make movies & games based off the New Jedi Order era or later. As you said they could get so much content from it instead of being limited to the "new" universe which is so dry compared to the old one.

@RustedHero Right? I used to literally dream of a game set during the Vong war! I still play Empire at War all the time with mods like "Thrawn's Revenge" set in the post ROTJ EU. Playing through Thrawn's campaign, the reborn Emperor, right up until just before the NJO. And the mod team is still active and working on added in the Vong to the game!

But I always wanted like a Jedi Academy or KOTOR style game set during that era. Or another Rogue Squadron game based on Corran Horn's time with the squadron. Or could you imagine a Wraith Squadron game?! Rogue squadron stuff in space but then like, commando missions on ground (and actually done well, unlike RS3's ground missions.)

I always wanted to play as Jaina Solo commanding Twin Suns during the Battle of Borleas, or Anakin's strike team on the mission to Myrk!

They could have done all kinds of new stories during the post Endor era in game format!

Double down on Star Wars on other platforms, but not the switch

@Heavyarms55 tbh I could live without them making 2 universes for games but why on earth cant they just release the sword of the jedi books.

What does this news have to do with Nintendo and the Switch? Nothing Star Wars published by EA is coming to the Switch.
Until EA lose their Star Wars exclusivity deal, there’s nothing to talk about when it comes to a new Star Wars game coming to a Nintendo console.

@Zeldafan79 yeah I meant that one too 😆 that was my childhood

... Aaaaaand not a single one will come to Switch. EA = 🖕😡

In all the time they have had access to the Star Wars IP they put out one decent Star Wars game. If they keep the IP I have no confidence we will get a new Star Wars RPG or even remakes of KOTOR and KOTOR 2 nor a Star War strategy game like Star Wars Empire at War.

Jedi Fallen Order is a fantastic experience. And SW Squadron has me excited to fly an Xwing with friends as my wing man. Especially in VR.

There is finally hope for SW games. A New SW Single player game like Jedi Fallen Order in 2021 would be great

Switch support for any of it would be appreciated. But not holding my breath

Who would have thought that making games about one of the most popular series of all time would be a good idea! Finally, EA realizes they were wasting their deal with the Star Wars IP.

With only 3 major games released in almost 5 years; 1 without controversy, really there is no way but up.

Hey guys, help me out here. I'm trying to work out what this means for Switch and don't mind admitting my maths is terrible.

What's nothing doubled?

@GrailUK In this context, nothing doubled is nothing with an exasperated sigh.

Well I stopped expecting anything good from them so if something good comes along I'll be surprised.

@Heavyarms55 Yeah everything you said is what I wanted back in the days when I was ridiculously invested in the Expanded Universe. LOL if I put the same effort and attention to something useful like a instrument or education I could have been a rock guitar master or doctor. When they cancelled Karen Traviss's Republic Commando series I sensed a disturbance in the Force that it was the start of it all going downhill. Disney bought it all shortly after and by then I was glad I left it all behind because now it's a joke compared to what it once was. Also yes I used to play Empire at War for hours on end too.

@Roibeard64 Disney would never allow those books to be released. They would cause too much confusion with what they're creating with their "new" canon. The whole "Legends" label is just a nice way of saying forget it ever existed so therefore there won't be anything new released with that label.

Overall I will be very surprised if EA doesn't tap into the massive Switch owner base for Star Wars games. But I would only want them to if they put a real effort into making something good. Anything less like a bad bugged up port or a smartphone caliber game would just be a insult (which as we all know is within their nature).

Disney Star Wars sucks. They can keep it.

Not that this has anything to do with Nintendo.

I hate to see this latest development in this IP. EA is absolutely the wrong company to make these as they have a horrible track record in FPS and Action games. Disney has also just started milking this like an old worn out cow udder.

Double down and social distancing. Two buzzwords that I can’t wait to go, oh yea, I remember when everybody was saying that! 😞

@glaemay That's a good point and I agree.

Cool, I guess? But we're never going to see any of these games on Switch, so what's even the point of reporting on this here?

@GrailUK Nothing times nothing equals "screw you, Switch owners!"

@PhilKenSebben Somehow I thought they were more (on consoles) already but it's been just 3 you're right. Both Battlefronts and Fallen Order. Probably by this point they've canceled more games than what they've released.

Hard for me to get interested if none of these are coming to Switch.

No thanks I don't allow EA is my house

I got Battlefront 2 on ps+ recently. It's surprisingly fun! I never really dug the space battles back on the older gens but they look and feel really good on ps4. The campaign seems like it's gonna be really short but for the most part it's also been fun, bitter sweet, I guess. Also, they sorted out the loot box problems with a £20 upgrade you get nearly everything and can finish off the last bits easy. You never had to buy credits, anyway. You earn them, just slowly. If you have a ps4 you should definitely give it a chance as the online is great, too.

@RustedHero - I'm pretty sure the Legends label is so they can continue re-releasing existing content (mainly comics and novels) without confusing fans or general readers.

If this doubling down means we get some more titles like Jedi: Fallen Order, and post-update Battlefront 2 (and if Squadrons ends up as good as it looks that could well happen), then I'm all for it. I seem to be in a minority in that I actually prefer the new canon overall (at least so far) so I'm not turned off by the prospect of 'new canon' games, so as long as EA doesn't live up to their reputation (a tall ask admittedly, but tbf, there was a time when Capcom was terrible as well) I'm fine with more Star Wars games.

Bring back Star Wars 1313 in development, and bring to switch. That game was looking good.