Update 1/11/17: Force Arena is now out worldwide!

Mobile game developer Netmarble Games revealed today in a press conference in Seoul, South Korea that their Star Wars: Force Arena will launch sometime in 2017.

Considering that we only have three days left in 2016, this revelation isn’t all too surprising. However, it’s the closest we’ve gotten so far to a solid release date.

Other minor details were also mentioned. Force Arena will have a global launch in 154 countries, including the US, Japan and China. Netmarble plans to release more details on the game’s launch schedule in January.

Set to launch for iOS and Android, Force Arena is a MOBA-like mobile game that features 1-v-1 and 2-v-2 PvP action. It’ll feature 65 characters at launch, from Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader to Ezra Bridger from the Rebels TV show.

“In developing ‘Star Wars: Force Arena,’ we focused on creating a game play method that can be easily grasped by anyone, including experienced gamers as well as Star Wars fans who are less familiar with game formats,” said Netmarble Monster CEO Kim Kun at the aforementioned press conference. “We’re going for a ‘global one-build’ strategy, meaning we’ve created a game that users all around the world can enjoy and understand, rather than one designed to appeal differently to differing markets.”

For those unaware, MOBA stands for “multiplayer online battle arena”. Popular games in the genre include League of Legends and DOTA 2. Force Arena utilizes similar combat to these games, including arenas with “lanes” for combat.

While no release date beyond the general 2017, pre-registrations are currently available for the game. The game does has been soft released in Australia, so you can play it on iOS right now. There is also an apk available on Android, which I’ve managed to try out successfully. Note, of course, that both methods aren’t exactly official, so proceed at your own risk.

(H/T The Korea Herald)