EA and DICE have released the details of the much teased, and hotly anticipated first DLC for their Sci-Fi Shooter Star Wars Battlefront today. The "Battle of Jakku" map + new gameplay mode is designed to be a lead in to the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens which opens December 18th worldwide.
"As debris from battles above shower the desert ground, the feeling of chaos is intensifying. A Star Destroyer has just crash-landed and some of its engines are still smoking. The battle has just begun…" reads the release.
"We are proud to give you a first visual glimpse of The Battle of Jakku, coming to Star Wars™ Battlefront™ on December 1st, 2015, for all those that pre-ordered Star Wars Battlefront, and a week later for all other game holders. The Battle of Jakku was the pivotal moment when the New Republic confronted key Imperial holdouts on a remote desert planet."
The map, which is set in and takes place 29 years before the events of the upcoming film, will show players the events that created the massive, battle-scarred landscape that will be seen in The Force Awakens next month.
A new game mode, Turning Point, was also revealed. Detailed as a "vast game mode for 40 players...This mode potrays the efforts of the Rebel Alliance to defeat the Empire following the Battle of Endor."
Lead level designer Dennis Brannvall explained further:
“At the edge of the map, the Empire has constructed a make-shift base as well as smaller fortifications strewn across the landscape. Following an emergency landing, the Rebels need to locate the enemy bases to attack and take control of them all.”
Both the Battle of Jakku map, and new game mode Turning Point will be available for those who pre-ordered the game December 1st. Those who puchased the game after launch date or did not pre-order will recieve the DLC one week later, December 8th.
Trailer Released Earlier This Month
Earlier this month, DICE and EA released a teaser trailer for the Battle of Jakku DLC which you can relive below. This new game mode, and new map sound like a push in the right direction for Battlefront. Lets hope the innovation and response to the community continues from here on out.