Well, here’s something cool. A group of dedicated fans have done some incredible work and revived the Xbox 360 technical beta for the never-released Star Wars Battlefront III “predecessor,” Star Wars: First Assault. And it looks pretty cool!
As reported by Time Extension, a group of Star Wars fans has been able to resurrect Star Wars: First Assault and make it playable on PC, complete with online multiplayer support. Getting it to run on your PC isn’t the easiest thing in the world and involves a special version of Xbox 360 emulator Xenia, but the end result is a somewhat unstable look at a Star Wars game we never got.
Here’s 60 minutes of gameplay footage of First Assault running on PC.
We first learned about Star Wars: First Assault all the way back in 2012 via a leaked Xbox Live Arcade listing. In 2013, Kotaku reported that First Assault was planned to be a downloadable multiplayer-only FPS that would support up to 16 players and would feature Rebels and Stormtroopers. According to one source close to the project, the plan back then was for First Assault to act as a sort of “step zero” to eventually produce and launch a full Star Wars: Battlefront III. The idea being that if First Assault sold well, it would pave the way for a full Battlefront sequel. None of that happened.
In 2013, a year after buying Lucasfilm, Disney shut down LucasArts and canned two different Star Wars games: Star Wars 1313 and First Assault. Over the last decade-plus, Battlefront has been revived by EA and Dice, though it seems highly unlikely we’ll get another EA-published Battlefront game anytime soon. In 2024, EA also canned a planned Star Wars shooter from Titanfall devs Respawn. That’s all a shame, but hey, at least you can check out First Assault now on your PC if you long for a “new” Star Wars FPS.
13 Years After It Was cancelled, Star Wars: Battlefront III Prequel Is Playable On PC
The long Road to Playability
Star Wars: Battlefront III was a much-anticipated game that was officially cancelled over a decade ago, leaving fans disappointed and curious about what could have been. Despite its cancellation nearly 13 years ago, a remarkable fan-led restoration effort has now made the prequel build of this iconic title playable on PC.
This rare possibility allows players and Star Wars enthusiasts to experience the unfinished world of Battlefront III, with many nostalgic elements from the Star Wars universe brought to life through fan dedication and advanced modding.
Background: the Cancellation Story
Originally developed by Free Radical Design, Star Wars: Battlefront III was set to continue the beloved Battlefront series after the success of the first two games.However, due to complications with lucasarts and budget issues, the project was cancelled in 2008, leaving only unfinished footage and assets behind.
Despite the cancellation, data leaks and demo builds of Battlefront III circulated through the years, sparking hope among the community. The release of the prequel version on PC is a testament to the passion of fans who combined recovered files, coding efforts, and modding tools to reconstruct a playable experience.
Key Features of Star Wars: Battlefront III Prequel Build
- Diverse Battle Environments: Iconic Star Wars battlefields from planets like Kashyyyk and Hoth are partially reconstructed, showcasing dynamic whether and lighting effects.
- Playable Factions: Players can command the Republic, Separatists, Rebel Alliance, and the Empire, aligning with the prequel era’s narrative backdrop.
- Advanced AI and Multiplayer Potential: Early AI scripting and multiplayer framework hint at a seamless large-scale Battlefront combat experience.
- Vehicle Combat: Vehicles like the Naboo Starfighter and AT-TE walkers add depth to the gameplay, mimicking the prequel saga’s epic battles.
- Prototype Sound Design: Even though incomplete, the sound effects and iconic Star Wars music tracks elevate immersion profoundly.
Technical Requirements & Installation Tips
Running the Battlefront III prequel build requires a reasonably modern PC, as the restored build uses some unfinished graphical components and early engine assets.
| Minimum Specification | Recommended Specification |
|---|---|
| OS: Windows 7 or later | OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit |
| CPU: Intel Core i3 or equivalent | CPU: Intel Core i5 / Ryzen 5 or higher |
| RAM: 4 GB | RAM: 8 GB or higher |
| GPU: NVIDIA GTX 660 or equivalent | GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580 or better |
| Storage: 20 GB available space | Storage: 30 GB SSD recommended |
Pro Tips for Installation:
- Confirm your PC meets or exceeds the minimum specs to reduce crashes.
- Disable needless background applications to maximize performance.
- Set game compatibility mode to windows 7 or 8 for smoother launch.
- Check fan community forums for the latest patches and bug fixes.
The Community Effort Behind Revival
The fan-driven effort to resurrect Battlefront III has been nothing short of extraordinary:
- Recovery of lost Assets: Mining through old archives and demo discs, fans managed to locate usable textures, maps, and code.
- Collaborative Modding: modders from different parts of the globe pooled their skills to reconstruct the game’s core gameplay loops.
- Open Discussions: Forums and Discord servers became breeding grounds for installation help, multiplayer setups, and performance tweaks.
For many, this resurrection is not just about gameplay; it’s a tribute to the passion and resilience of the Star Wars community.
Gameplay Experience: What to Expect
playing the prequel build of Star Wars: Battlefront III offers a mix of raw, unfinished charm combined with nostalgia for the Star Wars universe:
- Maps feel expansive but can have occasional glitches due to their prototype state.
- Combat mechanics retain the classic Battlefront feel, but with some early bugs and missing polish.
- Vehicle battles bring excitement, though variety is limited compared to finished games.
- Sound effects enhance immersion but some voice lines and ambient sounds are missing or incomplete.
- Community-made patches and mods continually improve stability and gameplay depth.
First-Hand Experience Insight
Players who have dived into the prequel build describe it as a captivating glimpse into what could have been a groundbreaking Star Wars title. the scale of battles and distinct prequel era units offer a fresh but familiar experience, reminding fans of the franchise’s rich lore and expansive universe.
Despite its rough edges, the game evokes enthusiasm, and many hope this project will inspire a future official release or fan-made continuation.
Benefits of Exploring the Battlefront III Prequel Build
- Unique Access: Play a Star Wars game that never officially launched but has ancient meaning.
- Community Engagement: Join a passionate base of Star Wars fans dedicated to preservation and modding.
- Technical Learning: gain insight into game growth challenges and fan-led restoration techniques.
- Expand Your Game Collection: Add a piece of Star Wars gaming history to your library without purchasing.
how to Join the Star Wars Battlefront Revival Community
The revival of Battlefront III wouldn’t be possible without the collaborative spirit of the fanbase. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Follow dedicated Discord servers focused on Star Wars Battlefront modding.
- Join subreddits such as r/StarWarsBattlefront to share experiences and download updates.
- Contribute to or download fixes and mods from fan sites and repositories.
- Participate in online matches hosted by community members to test multiplayer features.
