Lucasfilm and EA Announce Star Wars: Squadrons

A new Star Wars space combat game has been announced by Lucasfilm and EA. Star Wars: Squadrons will allow players to fly their favorite starfighter in some of the most iconic battles known to Star Wars fans. The game will be available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and playable via virtual reality (VR) on PlayStation 4 and PC. It is being released on October 2, 2020. The game was developed by Motive Studios.

Star Wars: Squadrons will allow players to have first-person and 5v5 multiplayer space dogfights. They will also be able to be a part of massive fleet battles. The events will take place as part of an original story set during the final days of the Galactic Empire and the rise of the New Republic following the events of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

“We created this game for every Star Wars fan who has ever dreamt about soaring across the galaxy in their favorite starfighter,” said Ian Frazier, creative director, Motive Studios. “Through the collaboration of the teams at Motive and Lucasfilm, we’ve been able to create a high-fidelity starfighter experience with an authentic storyline that invites Star Wars fans to explore never-before-seen corners of the galaxy in their own ship. We’re excited to show all this in action at EA Play Live this week.”

Star Wars: Squadrons is the first Star Wars space combat game to be released in quite some time. Star Wars has a long legacy of this type of game with games like Star Wars: X-Wing, Star Wars: Tie Fighter, and Star Wars: Attack Squadrons. This game will allow players to have craft customization, in-depth strategy, and gameplay modes. Players will enlist as starfighter pilots in the game and then step into the cockpit of either a New Republic or Imperial starfighter in one of the respective fleets. Skirmishes will be had with their squadrons in the briefing room before pilots are sent off to epic space battles throughout the galaxy.

Multiplayer

Players will be fighting in 5v5 multiplayer space battles throughout the game with the goal of destroying the opposing flagship in Fleet Battles. They will also get to fly in first-person multiplayer battles as they work together with their squadron to destroy the enemy in Dogfights. This will be a team-based game and squadrons will be adjusted to suit the style of players as they progress through the game. This will be done by beating opponents and also completing other objectives. During the course of the game, players will see new locations and some well-known locations, like the gas giant of Yavin Prime and the shattered moon of Galitan. Star Wars: Squadrons is presented in first person and is designed to be an immersive experience. Gamers can play it in virtual reality on PlayStation 4 and also PC.

Throughout the game, as players move up the ranks they will be able to earn components to modify and enhance their starfighters. They can earn weapons, hulls, engines, and shields. They can also earn cosmetic items to customize cockpits, ship exteriors, flight suits, and helmets. Bonuses can also be received. All of this is unlocked through gameplay that has a clear progression path. Players will also be able to squad up with friends to play against others. The platform each plays on will not matter for this as crossplay will be supported Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, and VR.

Single Player

For those who would rather play single player, Star Wars: Squadrons will also support this. In this version, the storyline follows the events that happen after the Battle of Endor. Players will get to pilot through this storyline from two different perspectives as they progress. Each of these pilot experience will be customizable. Players will experience battles through the eyes of the New Republic’s heroic Vanguard Squadron and also that of the Galactic Empire’s fearsome Titan Squadron. This story also features unique and new characters along with some familiar ones from the Star Wars universe.

Availability

Star Wars: Squadrons is available for pre-sale now. It will be available on October 2 for $39.99. EA Access** and Origin™ Access Basic** subscribers can enjoy up to 10 hours of playtime at launch, along with 10% off the purchase of the full game. Origin Access Premier** subscribers will get full access to Star Wars: Squadrons on PC along with all the benefits of Basic as long as they subscribe. For more details, visit https://www.ea.com/games/starwars/pilotswanted.