Star Wars has seen a fantastic resurgence in gaming, even as the film side struggles to maintain the energy of recent hits like Andor. With the massive successes of Star Wars: Zero Company and Star Wars: Galactic Racer, gamers are still eager to see every corner of the galaxy — and Disney is more than willing to keep giving them what works. Now, according to DualShockers reporting on October 19, 2026, Disney is reportedly in talks with both DICE and Bungie for the development rights to Star Wars Battlefront 3.

Who should build Battlefront 3? It depends on what Disney wants. DICE built the beloved Battlefront 2 and excels at massive, grunt-based battles. Bungie is wounded but armed with the best gunplay in the business and a Star Wars–inspired track record. The decision falls to Disney — run with the devil they know, or the one a little down on its luck.

At a Glance

  • What’s reported: Disney is in talks with DICE and Bungie over Battlefront 3 development rights.
  • Why DICE: They made Battlefront 2 and sell unmatched large-scale infantry combat.
  • Why Bungie: Masterful gunplay, a Star Wars–flavored Destiny 2: Renegades expansion, and a need for a financial win.
  • The catch: DICE’s Battlefield 6 troubles vs. Bungie’s post-Destiny 2 crossroads.
Star Wars Battlefront 2 gameplay screenshot showing large-scale infantry combat
EA and DICE's Battlefront 2 set the visual and gameplay bar a successor would have to clear. Screenshot: Star Wars Battlefront 2.

Why Battlefront 3, and Why Now

Few Star Wars games in recent memory have had the staying power of EA’s Battlefront 2 — a strong boots-on-the-ground shooter spanning the major conflicts of the films. To maintain that satisfied player base, Disney is reportedly exploring who should carry the next entry. The pitch to both studios is obvious: a proven, beloved formula with a fanbase that never fully left.

Star Wars Battlefront 2 on-field battle screenshot with heroes and troopers
The boots-on-the-ground, hero-and-trooper formula Battlefront 2 nailed — the benchmark any Battlefront 3 would be measured against. Screenshot: Star Wars Battlefront 2.

The Case for Bungie: Star-Bound Soldiers

With the recent end of service of Destiny 2, Bungie is at a crossroads. The studio has promised fans more Destiny in some form, but it clearly needs a financial win to stabilize. Fans noticed just how clearly the Destiny 2: Renegades expansion was inspired by Star Wars — alongside the ever-present influence the original trilogy has had on Destiny as a whole.

Bungie is infamous for masterful gunplay, consistent across every title it has shipped. In Destiny, the studio made space magic and sci-fi melee feel amazing — priming it perfectly for a proper Star Wars title. Mechanically, Bungie is built for the super-soldier style 1-versus-100 encounter, the kind of set-piece where a single hero bends a battlefield.

The Case for DICE: Trusted Force

DICE has been in hot water over the active development of Battlefield 6 (under publisher EA) — a game with fantastic fundamentals plagued by constant asterisks: odd collaborations, AI snuck into cosmetics. It often feels like every time DICE hits gold, they step on a rake.

And yet, few studios are better at selling the feeling of massive, grunt-based battles where every individual player feels both out of their depth and uniquely important. Their previous work on Battlefront 2 was eventually stellar, even if the game’s early sin — aggressive loot boxes and pay-to-win class equipment — left it dead in the water for many. An early echo of the self-sabotage DICE is known for.

The Battlefront franchise has always taken clear inspiration from Battlefield: mixed-arms combat and distinct classes, each serving a role in a multi-man squad. Mechanically, DICE covers everything Bungie isn’t as skilled at, while Bungie handles the super-soldier encounters DICE doesn’t.

Trusted Force or Brand New Face?

DICE’s time on Battlefront is undeniable — they established the fantastic Battlefront 2 still played today. But if they’re found wanting, Bungie’s fresh spin could be exactly what a new title needs. As hard as it is to say, Bungie put out some of its best work on Destiny 2 when under the thumb of a larger studio, and Disney’s oversight might be exactly what they need to produce an all-timer.

Bungie is wounded but far from out — still supporting the cult hit Marathon and eager to return with a major title that could redefine its public face. At the end of the day, the decision falls to Disney: run with the devil they know, or the one a little down on its luck.

DICEBungie
StrengthMassive infantry battles, mixed-arms squadsMasterful gunplay, super-soldier encounters
BaggageBattlefield 6 controversies, loot-box legacyPost-Destiny 2 crossroads, recent niche titles
Franchise historyBuilt Battlefront 2Star Wars–inspired Renegades expansion

Sources: DualShockers — Disney Considering Bungie and DICE for Battlefront 3 Development by Michael Manning (Published Oct 19, 2026, 3:33 PM EDT) — reported/rumored, not an official announcement. Related official studios: Bungie, EA / DICE.

See our Bungie Destiny and Marathon future coverage and Star Wars Galactic Racer dev story for more context.

Editorial note: This is an editorial analysis built from publicly reported studio signals, not a confirmed deal — Disney has not announced a Battlefront 3 developer. For example, DICE’s Battlefield 6 turbulence and Bungie’s post-Destiny 2 crossroads are both recent, observable signals we used to frame the trade-off, rather than inside information.

Your turn: Which studio would you trust with Battlefront 3 — the devil Disney knows, or the one hungry for a comeback? Tell us in the comments below.