The rumor mill: DICE and Bungie are reportedly on Disney’s shortlist
Short version: word on the street — coming from outlets like EGM and reporters such as Jeff Grubb — is that Disney/Lucasfilm have quietly been sounding out studios for a new Battlefront game. Two names keep popping up: DICE (the obvious one) and Bungie (the eyebrow-raiser). None of the companies involved have confirmed anything, so treat this as a very early whisper, not a press release.
Reports say conversations are preliminary. That means talks, not contracts — and absolutely no guarantee a game is actually in active development yet.
What each studio could do (and why players should care)
DICE: It’s the safe bet. They built the last two Battlefronts and know how to make Star Wars feel big and cinematic. They also have a history with Battlefield tech and multiplayer systems. But remember the 2017 launch drama: monetization mistakes burned a lot of goodwill. If DICE gets the job, fans will be watching how progression, cosmetics, and microtransactions are handled from day one.
Bungie: Curveball. The studio behind Halo and Destiny brings serious live-service chops and looter-shooter experience. Bungie is now part of Sony and has gone through restructures and layoffs recently, but they can run long-term multiplayer ecosystems — which could be great if Disney wants a persistent live game rather than a one-off sequel.
Gameplay impact: either studio could shift the focus. DICE might lean into large-scale, cinematic battles; Bungie could push more ongoing seasonal content and player progression. Monetization design, server model, and post-launch support will be the real deciding factors for players.
Why this matters and what comes next
Battlefront hasn’t seen a new mainline entry since 2017, so the franchise has been on ice for nearly a decade. If Disney is indeed shopping the IP around, that’s a signal they want it back in players’ hands — but probably not for a while. Choosing a dev, negotiating terms, and building the game could easily take several years.
Community mood will likely be a mix of hype and cautious optimism. Fans want a true Star Wars multiplayer return, but they’re also quick to call out poor monetization or half-baked live services. For now, enjoy the speculation, keep expectations measured, and watch for official word — because when/if this is real, it’ll matter a lot to anyone who loves big online Star Wars battles.
