More than a decade after its cancellation, the previously unreleased Star Wars multiplayer shooter Star Wars: First Assault has been made playable on PC by a group of dedicated fans. Originally intended as a stepping stone toward Star Wars: Battlefront III, the game was first revealed in 2012 through a leaked Xbox Live Arcade listing. While the beta was never officially released, fan efforts have now restored it, allowing modern players to experience a part of Star Wars gaming history that was nearly lost.
Bringing First Assault Back to Life
The revived version of First Assault runs on PC via a modified build of the Xbox 360 emulator Xenia. The emulator enables access to both single-player and multiplayer components, though the build is noted to be somewhat unstable. This revival gives players a chance to see how the game functioned in its technical beta stage, featuring combat between Rebels and Stormtroopers in matches supporting up to 16 players. Setting up the game requires careful configuration, reflecting the technical challenges of reviving an unreleased title.
First Assault’s Role in Star Wars Game Development
When Star Wars: First Assault was first uncovered, it was described as a downloadable multiplayer-first shooter intended to test the market for a larger Battlefront sequel. The project was meant to act as a “step zero” toward the eventual release of Battlefront III. If the smaller-scale game performed well, it would have helped justify full-scale development of the next Battlefront entry. This approach was designed to reduce risk while gauging player interest in a new Star Wars multiplayer shooter.
How Disney’s Acquisition Impacted the Project
After Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, significant changes occurred within the company’s gaming division. In 2013, Disney closed LucasArts, ending the development of First Assault as well as other in-progress projects, including Star Wars 1313. These cancellations halted the original roadmap for Battlefront III and shifted Star Wars game development toward external studios under licensing agreements.
Legacy and Modern Battlefront Releases
Following LucasArts’ closure, publishing rights for major Star Wars games moved to Electronic Arts, with DICE leading development on the modern Battlefront series. Despite the revival of the franchise, large-scale new multiplayer shooters set in the Star Wars universe remain uncertain. In 2024, a planned Star Wars shooter from Respawn Entertainment was cancelled, demonstrating the continued challenges of developing new titles in the franchise.
A Glimpse Into an Unreleased Star Wars Experience
The fan-restored First Assault beta offers a rare look at a game that never officially launched. While incomplete and occasionally unstable, it provides historical insight into the early development phase of what could have been Battlefront III. For players interested in Star Wars multiplayer shooters, this restoration represents one of the few opportunities to experience a lost entry in the franchise.
Source: Kotaku
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Star Wars: First Assault playable on PC?
Yes, the fan-restored version runs on PC using the Xbox 360 emulator Xenia, though it may require technical configuration.
Does the restored beta support multiplayer?
Yes, the revival includes online multiplayer functionality, allowing players to join matches with up to 16 participants.
What was the purpose of Star Wars: First Assault?
The game was originally intended as a smaller, downloadable multiplayer shooter to test the market before developing Star Wars: Battlefront III.
Why was the game cancelled?
After Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, the internal studio LucasArts was closed in 2013, leading to the cancellation of First Assault and other projects.
Can I expect a full Battlefront III from EA?
Currently, there are no confirmed plans for a new EA-published Battlefront game, and recent cancellations suggest large-scale new Star Wars shooters remain unlikely.
Where can I find gameplay footage of the restored beta?
Fans have shared gameplay videos online, showing both combat and multiplayer features from the revived First Assault beta.
