Multiplayer is now available for Star Wars First Assault, a game that was cancelled more than a decade ago. In an unexpected development, a group of modders have been able to get online play working and you too can jump in and enjoy the fun.
We first learned about this game back in 2012 following a series of leaks. The LucasArts-developed title was set to release on Xbox Live Arcade with a free technical beta test dated for September 2012. However, the game was cancelled a day before the beta was supposed to go live.
Given the lack of Star Wars shooters at this point in time and how close it was to releasing, it has gained an underground following. Fans were deeply invested in “what could have been?” given it was a Call of Duty-like Star Wars game but an emphasis on squad play.
Whilst some outlets have reported this project is first time this game has been playable, that is not the case. In the years that followed, a build of the beta had leaked. This became playable on the Xbox 360 emulator known as Xenia.
However, there was no online multiplayer. You could only load into a match on your own and complete the objective. There was no AI in the game either meaning it was not very useful other than for curiosity and preservation purposes. Now that has all changed.
A New Hope
A few days ago, a group of modders behind projects such as Battlefront 3 Legacy have released a working multiplayer build of the beta for Star Wars First Assault. After 13 years, you can now matchmake with other players and experience the beta we should have gotten officially.
This version of Star Wars First Assault even has working progression with ranking up and unlocking new weapons and equipment for your loadouts. On top of that, the game can run well past 30FPS, a limit that we’d have seen in the game on Xbox 360.
It is worth noting that there is no keyboard and mouse support. This because it is a straight up emulation of an Xbox 360 title. Anyone emulating on PC will be grouped with PC-based controller players. Whereas anyone playing the game on a modded Xbox 360 will be pitted against those also using modified consoles.
Star Wars gaming YouTuber AZZATRU published a video on Wednesday showing the online multiplayer in action. Plus, he provided a helpful tutorial within it to get you up and running so you can play Star Wars First Assault online. You can check out the video below:
The project is being ran out of a Discord server where you can download the game, find players to play with and keep up to date on any potential future developments. You can join the Discord here. Will you check out Star Wars First Assault’s multiplayer? Let us know down in the comments section below.
For all of the latest Star Wars news, stay tuned to Bespin Bulletin. If you like our work, please consider supporting us on Patreon for ad-free articles.
