Part II: Battlefront - The Defining Game Mode

The Battlefront mode is what the entire game revolves around. In my design, I'll be talking about the Conflict system, picking a Faction, the modes and purposes of Combat, the weekly refreshing Quartermaster store, and the Final Events of a Conflict.

The Conflict System

The premise is simple.

A massive conflict has erupted between two factions. This war can be between the Galactic Republic and the Separatists, the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire, or the Resistance and the First Order. The conflict engulfs the galaxy and various iconic Star Wars locations have become battlegrounds where the factions are fighting to dominate the other.

You are presented with a full-screen galactic map. On this map, you see see highlighted planets that are important to the current conflict. Depending on the involved factions, the spotlighted locations differ. These planets display a clear visual indicator of which faction is dominating, holding at least 50% of the planet's value. Above the map, in large clear type, the amount of time remaining in the conflict is displayed.

Choosing a Side

Deciding which faction you join is a major decision. It affects which cosmetics and unlocks become available, it affects which side you play as the vast majority of the time, and of course, it affects your final rewards based on which faction wins.

In order to cement the significance of your choice, the menu design and music change to match the faction. Did you choose the Galactic Republic? Then you hear the vibrant Prequel tunes from Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. All the while, the galactic map and additional menu elements take on the colors and iconography of the Galactic Republic. This way, you are fully immersed in the faction you chose.

Choosing a side commits you to which rewards you will receive. Play for your faction to unlock unique cosmetics as seen in the movies and other content like the Clone Wars or Rebels shows. Faction based cosmetics include helmets, armor, vehicle designs, weapon designs, trooper skins, hero skins, and more. The Star Wars universe is massive and the possibilities are almost infinite. The cosmetics you unlock stay with you far beyond the conflict so you can show them off in other modes like Quick Play and show that you took part in a galactic struggle.

What about team balance? In this design, the game attempts to assign players to their respective factions when a match is about to begin. If there are too many players on one side, the game offers surplus players to play on the opposing side for a reward. If these players perform well for the opposing faction, they are rewarded with 15% extra experience and credits for helping the match remain balanced. Worried about sabotage? The game can also change the number of active players based on the availability of faction members. If the Galactic Republic has 10 players in a match, and the Separatists have 12, the game can force the 2 extra Separatist players to spectate or cycle lives with another player.