Star Wars Battlefront II—the 2017 reboot—just hit a new all-time player count on Steam. In 2025. While it’s true that the game wasn’t available on Steam at launch, the feat is still impressive. It’s also part of a bigger story: after years of being mostly abandoned,Star Wars Battlefront IIhas suddenly surged in popularity.
But why?
A Redemption Story
Star Wars Battlefront II’slaunch was marred by one of the most infamous controversies in gaming history. A predatory loot box system,pay-to-winmechanics, and an aggressively anti-consumer progression model overshadowed the game itself, souring both critical reception and commercial prospects. Who could forget the shameful “the intent is to provide players with a sense of pride and accomplishment” line—the most downvoted Reddit comment of all time? It was a PR disaster of galactic proportions.
Well, believe it or not, EA and DICE actually fixed it.
The progression system was completely overhauled. Paid loot boxes and pay-to-win elements were scrapped. Now, heroes and Star Card upgrades areearned at a reasonable pace through gameplay. Cosmetics, which don’t affect gameplay, are far more accessible. In fact, theCelebration Edition(the only version available on Steam) unlocks every cosmetic item from the start at no extra cost.
The controversy discouraged many from ever givingBattlefront IIa fair shot—not just because of the monetization model, but because it fundamentally disrupted game balance. Getting steamrolled by players with maxed-out kits they paid for felt terrible. But today, progression is much fairer, the playing field is significantly more level, and the core gameplay finally has a chance to shine.
Years later,Battlefront IIhas become what it always had the potential to be: a genuinely greatStar Warsgame.
Battlefront IIIs Worth Playing Today
TheStar Wars Battlefrontformula has always had a strong appeal. Personally, I was hooked on the originals as a kid. The version we’re discussing now—Battlefront II—holds up incredibly well for its age. It’s sometimes hard to believe it launched over seven years ago; the visuals alone could still pass for a modern release.
Today’sBattlefront IIis a dramatically improved version of what launched in 2017. EA and DICE added a massive amount of post-launch content over two and a half years (all of it was free, too). The gameplay was revamped as well, so if you tried it early on and walked away unimpressed, it might be time to give it another try.
In an era where online games are more cutthroat than ever andoptimized with skill-based matchmaking systems,Battlefront IIoffers a refreshing change of pace. It’s a more casual multiplayer shooter, built around large-scale battles on iconicStar Warsmaps, diverse class-based combat, and the chance to play as legendary characters. It’s just a good time—plus it perfectly captures the spirit ofStar Wars.
Star Wars Battlefront IIis legitimately good now. And judging by its rapid resurgence, a lot of people are finally starting to notice.
Timing, Fandom, and aStar WarsContent Boom
Battlefront IIis undeniably better now, but EA hasn’t actively supported it since 2020. So how did it all of a sudden explode in popularity again? A few key factors came together to create the perfect storm—andBattlefront IIhappened to be in the right place at the right time.
First, the player spike hit in May, coinciding with the annual May the Fourth celebration, akaStar WarsDay. It’s also the 20th anniversary ofRevenge of the Sith, which returned to theaters, rekindling nostalgia across the fanbase. And maybe most importantly, Season 2 ofAndorjust wrapped up.
The critically acclaimed television series left fans wanting more—and with some free time on their hands. Even the actors helped fuel the hype: Muhannad Ben Amor (who plays Wilmon Paak inAndor)posted on Instagramabout growing up playingBattlefront II, and Janina Gavankar (Iden Versio in the game)celebrated its unexpected revival.
Then there’s the wave ofStar Warscontent across games.Fortniteis in the middle of a full-blownStar Wars-themed season, reminding players that there’s a “real"Star Warsmultiplayer shooter still out there. And we may need to give some credit toArc Raiders, too. The sci-fi extraction shooter from former EA and DICE developers concluded its playtest just as interest inBattlefront IIbegan picking up again. In search of something to scratch that same itch, many players turned toBattlefront II.
Add to that the power of word-of-mouth. As more players rediscovered the game, streamers and content creators jumped on board (and their audiences followed). One person tells a friend, who tells another—and before long, it spreads like wildfire. Honestly, this article might convince someone else to dive in too.
All Eyes Are on What Comes Next
With all this renewed attention, fans have started calling loudly forStar Wars Battlefront III. The franchise dates back to 2004, and the appetite for more is as strong as it’s ever been. On platforms like TikTok, hashtags like #Battlefront3are gaining traction as fans try to send a message to Disney, EA, and DICE.
For now,Battlefront IIis all we’ve got. How long it can hold the fanbase’s attention is anyone’s guess, but at the moment, it’s doing a fine job.
