More than a decade after it was shelved, the cancelled Star Wars multiplayer shooter Star Wars: First Assault is now playable on PC thanks to a fan-led restoration project. Originally planned as a smaller-scale test run before Star Wars: Battlefront III, the game was leaked through an Xbox Live Arcade listing in 2012 but never saw an official release. This restoration gives players a chance to try a piece of Star Wars gaming history that almost disappeared entirely.
Use code TRYHARD33 at checkout to redeem this offer before code expires again.
Get 33% Off GAMES+ Subscription
How the restoration works
The revived First Assault runs through a modified version of Xenia, an Xbox 360 emulator for PC. Both single-player and multiplayer modes are accessible, though the build can be unstable. Players can jump into Rebel vs. Stormtrooper matches with up to 16 participants, experiencing the game as it existed during its technical beta phase. Getting it running takes some setup work, which makes sense given you're booting up a game that was never meant to launch.
What First Assault was supposed to be
When Star Wars: First Assault first leaked, it was positioned as a downloadable multiplayer shooter designed to gauge interest in a full Battlefront sequel. The idea was to release a smaller game first — a "step zero" — and use its performance to determine whether a larger Battlefront III project was viable. If players responded well, it would have cleared the path for a bigger, riskier follow-up.
Why it got cancelled
After Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012, the gaming side of the company went through major changes. In 2013, Disney shut down LucasArts, killing First Assault along with other projects like Star Wars 1313. The cancellations derailed the original plan for Battlefront III and moved Star Wars game development to external studios working under license.
What happened to Battlefront after that
Once LucasArts closed, Electronic Arts took over publishing for major Star Wars games, with DICE handling the modern Battlefront series. Despite that revival, new large-scale Star Wars multiplayer shooters remain uncertain. In 2024, a planned Star Wars shooter from Respawn Entertainment was cancelled, showing that getting new titles off the ground in this franchise is still a struggle.
Why this matters
The restored First Assault beta is incomplete and rough around the edges, but it's one of the only ways to see what the game was like before it got axed. For anyone interested in Star Wars shooters or cancelled game history, this is a rare chance to play something that was never supposed to reach players.
Make sure to check out our articles about top games to play in 2026:
Best Nintendo Switch Games for 2026
Best First-Person Shooters for 2026
Best PlayStation Indie Games for 2026
Best Multiplayer Games for 2026
Most Anticipated Games of 2026
Top Game Releases for January 2026
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 setup requires some technical work.
Does the restored beta support multiplayer?
Yes, online multiplayer is functional, with matches supporting up to 16 players.
What was the purpose of Star Wars: First Assault?
The game was meant as a smaller multiplayer shooter to test market interest before committing to a full Star Wars: Battlefront III.
Why was the game cancelled?
After Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012, LucasArts was shut down in 2013, cancelling First Assault and other in-development projects.
Can I expect a full Battlefront III from EA?
There are no confirmed plans for a new EA-published Battlefront game, and recent cancellations suggest large-scale Star Wars shooters remain unlikely.
Where can I find gameplay footage of the restored beta?
Fans have uploaded gameplay videos online showing combat and multiplayer features from the revived First Assault beta.
