With the news earlier this week that Electronic Arts Inc. And Lucasfilm Games will be joining forces to deliver three new Star Wars games, fans of the franchise have been excitedly speculating on what these games could look like. With Respawn Entertainment taking the helm across the development of three titles, it has been confirmed that one will be the eagerly anticipated Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 – the follow-up to the well-received action-adventure game. The other two projects will be an all-new Star Wars first-person shooter overseen by Peter Hirschmann, and a Star Wars strategy game created in collaboration with the new studio Bit Reactor.
Although the announcement means that Star Wars Battlefront 3 and Titanfall 3 are likely a long way off (or may no longer be happening at all), the new Star Wars FPS offers lots of intriguing opportunities to combine the best elements of both of these games. With Respawn developing the new title, its previous Titanfall series, in particular, is full of content and mechanics that would transition smoothly into a Star Wars setting. Thanks to Respawn’s award-winning reputation and history of popular games including the Titanfall series, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Apex Legends, it certainly has the pedigree to pull off a great Star Wars shooter.
How Titanfall Could Help Inform Respawn's Star Wars FPS
When Titanfall was first released in 2014, the game was praised for its verticality and freedom of movement when it came to combat. It revolutionized the fast-paced shooter, adding flexibility to player mobility in a way that felt original and exciting. Overall, the game made accessibility to the game easier for players of varying skill levels without freezing out less experienced online gamers. Titanfall 2 finessed a lot of the popular elements of the first game and added a critically-praised singleplayer story mode. Although the series underperformed commercially, the sequel still received acclaim and multiple award nominations for Game of the Year by a variety of outlets.
With these two games in Respawn's stable, it would make sense for the developer to make use of the popular and well-received mechanics in its previous titles in the new Star Wars FPS. While wall-running was a feature in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the combination of agile free-running and mech-based combat could be an interesting addition to a Star Wars game.
After all, large combat vehicles are already an established element in the Star Wars universe, and Respawn could retool some kind of AT-ST into a one-person operated vehicle with the same level of AI as a Titan. This would provide a new element to a Star Wars game while utilizing the most popular aspect of previous Respawn titles.
Although wall-running and double-jumping may seem like fairly simple mechanics, it cannot be understated how useful and fun they are in an FPS. These elements revolutionized movement in the Titanfall series, and if Respawn upgraded these and kept the grapple, zipline, and jetpack as ways of moving and enhancing combat in the Star Wars FPS it would ensure that the new game is up there with some of the best of the genre. Titanfall's fast-paced, continual action was a key element in the game's appeal, and would function well in a Star Wars title, especially if the developer chooses to move away from a Jedi-focused game like fans have been asking for.
There is also an opportunity for Respawn to build on the dynamic created between Pilots and Titans in the Titanfall series. Droids are a staple in the Star Wars universe, with plenty of memorable examples peppered throughout the films and games. The buddy cop sensibility between the Pilot and Titan — particularly in Titanfall 2 — would work well for the main character and a droid in a Star Wars FPS.
This was already established to some extent in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order between Padawan Cal Kestis and his accompanying pocket-sized droid BD-1. However, a new Star Wars game could push this mechanic even further in a similar way to the surprisingly nuanced mech-human relationships in Titanfall.
Why Respawn Is The Perfect Studio For It
Although not much is known about the upcoming Star Wars FPS, some comments from EA and game director Peter Hirschmann hint at a story-focused title over a purely multiplayer affair like the first Titanfall. With Respawn's experience in Star Wars-based storytelling already proven after the popular Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the developer seems like a perfect fit to once again tackle this source material, even if the game is shifting to an FPS format. The developer is no stranger to sci-fi settings — almost all of Respawn's games so far have been in that genre — and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was the first unequivocally good Star Wars game in many years.
With series veteran Peter Hirschmann overseeing the new Star Wars FPS, the game appears to be in safe hands. Hirschmann was the previous vice president of development at LucasArts, as well as the executive producer on the original Star Wars Battlefront games, so his experience with the franchise should serve him well.
Hirschmann has stated that the new Star Wars FPS is "a story [he has] always wanted to tell," hinting at a narrative-focused game and perhaps also a new area of the Star Wars canon that hasn't previously been explored. He's also claimed to be inspired by Star Wars: Dark Forces and Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II — two FPS titles that were praised for their innovative technical design and gameplay.
Respawn has proved that it can make competent online multiplayer modes, singleplayer story campaigns, and distinct and likable characters like the Apex Legends roster, even without the backdrop of a substantive storyline. The developer has shown that it knows how to make combat frenetic and rewarding without feeling too fast or unmanageable, with a good mix of close-quarters, medium, and ranged options. It's an award-winning studio that has created some groundbreaking mechanics, slick styles, and engaging gameplay.
While the recently announced Star Wars FPS may still be many years away, players will no doubt have a lot to get excited about once more details are revealed as the development progresses.
Respawn's Star Wars FPS is in development.