Those already giddy with excitement over the recent announcement of Star Wars Battlefront II will need to keep their emotions in check for several months as yet, but EA brings some rather welcome news today. As was the case with the 2015 original and, indeed, a big chunk of EA-published titles, DICE’s sequel is to be included in the former’s EA/Origin Access program, shaving one week off its November 17 worldwide release date. The Play First period will be available to all EA and Origin Access members on Xbox One and PC and is due to kick off on November 9, although EA has yet to outline whether this period will offer unlimited access or put restrictions in place prior to the shooter’s worldwide launch.
BioWare’s Mass Effect: Andromeda is the most recent title to have been given an early access period, although those who took full advantage of the promotion were restricted to a 10-hour session spread across the RPG’s single and multiplayer options. Given that DICE has crafted a dedicated campaign mode for Star Wars Battlefront II, it’s not outside the realms of possibility that similar restrictions will be put in place, but we’ll have to wait for more info on that front.
In the meantime, EA has outlined the various bits of bonus content fans can get access to by pre-ordering Star Wars Battlefront II, including exclusive skins for Star Wars: The Force Awakens‘ Kylo Ren and Rey, as well as “ability modifiers” for both characters and the iconic Millennium Falcon. Those are all yours, should you decide to pick up the Standard Edition, although going one step further and nabbing the Elite Trooper Deluxe Edition will net you upgraded versions of all Trooper classes as well as an instant unlock for the A280-CFE blaster rifle.
That’s a wrap for now, then, but EA says you can expect to hear a whole lot more about Star Wars Battlefront II over the coming months, so expect it to be present at this year’s E3.