Respawn Entertainment is far along in the development of Star Wars Jedi 3, according to reporting from Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier on October 31, 2026. Electronic Arts recently canceled Mass Effect 5 and shuttered BioWare to invest in Star Wars Battlefront 3, but Cal Kestis’ next adventure stayed safe because its production was already well advanced [1].
Star Wars Jedi 3 Development Progress
Schreier shared the production update on the social network Bluesky after community members questioned how EA planned to manage its upcoming sci-fi portfolio, clarifying that Star Wars Battlefront 3 “hasn’t even started yet” as work on Cal Kestis’ next chapter has progressed quietly for years without interruption. Giant Bomb reporter Jeff Grubb confirmed that rapid timeline. Grubb revealed that Respawn began production on the follow-up right after wrapping the second game in 2023, explaining that “everyone involved knew they were going to make a third game” because the team had always planned a trilogy. Respawn kept working [1].
Official statements from EA leadership confirm that Respawn never abandoned the story. When Star Wars Jedi: Survivor arrived on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in September 2024, EA Entertainment president Laura Miele said that the team was “working hard to bring the final chapter of this thrilling story to players” [3].
Community leaks suggest the public reveal for Star Wars Jedi 3 may happen relatively soon. Star Wars insider FivesWalker claimed that Respawn could unveil the game before the end of 2026, pointing to Geoff Keighley’s The Game Awards on December 10 as an ideal broadcast showcase. Schreier also said the game should be announced soon, though EA hasn’t set an official date [3].
Cal Kestis and the Planned Trilogy
The narrative has followed Cal Kestis since Respawn launched his journey in the first game. In June, Insider Gaming reporter Tom Henderson reported that the upcoming game features an older Cal who has visibly aged since the second chapter, though he confirmed that the Jedi will not require a walking stick to navigate terrain or combat imperial patrols. Cal still moves fast. Respawn designed his entire arc as a progressive transformation from an inexperienced fugitive into a battle-tested Jedi Knight who must carry heavy personal losses [1].
Creative priorities stayed consistent because Respawn mapped out the overarching conflict early on. Grubb said that developers viewed the story as a cohesive trilogy rather than an open-ended serial, allowing the team to deliver a definitive ending for Cal and his crew [1].
The third entry must also address unresolved emotional stakes from Survivor. Cal struggled with the dark side of the Force as he tried to protect hidden refugees from the Galactic Empire, giving Respawn a clear dramatic path before staff move to other assignments [2].
Technical Priorities After Jedi: Survivor
Technical stability is an urgent priority for Respawn following the troubled rollout of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor in April 2023. At launch, the PC edition suffered from severe shader compilation stuttering and irregular frame pacing that sparked harsh criticism from players and reviewers alike, with similar performance dips appearing on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S during demanding open-area exploration. Wccftech observed that noticeable glitches and traversal hitches persisted on PC even after the arrival of patch nine, which shipped more than 500 days after the original release. Developers must resolve these engine bottlenecks early to avoid similar community backlash [3].
When Respawn released Survivor on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in late 2024, it showed that the engine could adapt to older hardware. But that port required months of extra work. For the upcoming finale, players want solid performance from day one across all supported platforms [3].
Gameplay expectations remain equally high for Cal’s final outing. Wccftech said that fans look forward to fresh environments, new Force powers, and deeper combat options to challenge seasoned players, but the outlet pointed out that smooth technical performance matters most of all. Clean optimization lets the core mechanics shine without distracting stumbles [3].
Why EA Prioritized Star Wars Over Mass Effect
The decision to protect Respawn’s Jedi game unfolded against the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of Mass Effect 5. According to Bloomberg, EA leadership reviewed its long-term slate and concluded it could only afford to fund one multi-million dollar sci-fi action project because it was carrying heavy financial commitments after a $55 billion buyout led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Affinity Partners, an investment firm founded by Jared Kushner. The leveraged buyout left EA saddled with $18 billion in debt, forcing executives to eliminate risky bets. Star Wars Battlefront 3 was judged as a “less risky, more predictable bet” than a new Mass Effect, even though development on Battlefront 3 hadn’t even begun [4].
Executive changes inside EA also contributed to the outcome. Entertainment president Laura Miele, who historically championed BioWare, lost influence in a reshuffle that promoted EA Sports executives David Tinson and Cam Weber. Bloomberg reported that EA has long felt more comfortable backing shooters rather than complex role-playing games. Although Lucasfilm considered outside developers for Star Wars Battlefront 3 during earlier conceptual planning, EA decided to keep the project with DICE and Respawn. Management saw established multiplayer combat as a safer return on investment [5].
BioWare’s commercial record sealed its fate. Releases like Anthem and Dragon Age: The Veilguard missed financial expectations, with Veilguard reportedly falling short of EA’s sales targets by 50%. EA cut 400 jobs across the company (roughly 3% of its workforce) and dissolved BioWare, despite a fan petition gathering nearly 300,000 signatures to rescue Mass Effect [4].
Jedi 3 and Battlefront Release Plans
The development timeline clarifies why Star Wars Jedi 3 remained safe as other projects collapsed. Because Respawn had already pushed the game far into production, canceling it would have wasted years of finished animation, narrative design, and level geometry. Battlefront 3 exists purely as a conceptual target that hasn’t entered pre-production. Respawn can finish Cal’s story before reallocating staff toward larger multiplayer efforts [2].
EA’s broader strategy also explains the timing. Game Developer senior editor Bryant Francis pointed out that EA previously cancelled a Respawn-led Star Wars shooter to reduce reliance on licensed properties, only to pivot back after debt mounted. A successful single-player launch brings in revenue as Battlefront slowly gathers steam [6].
If leaker reports prove accurate, an official showcase could arrive before the end of the year. With Geoff Keighley hosting The Game Awards on December 10, fans may finally see how Respawn plans to conclude Cal Kestis’ journey, though Electronic Arts has not yet confirmed concrete broadcast dates. The finale remains on track [3].
- ONLINE NEWS Sinha, R. (2026, November 1). Star Wars Jedi 3 is “Far in Development” and Could be “Announced Soon” – Rumor. GamingBolt. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Barovic, A. (2026, October 31). Third Star Wars Jedi game is reportedly ‘far in development’ at EA with Battlefront 3 still in the earliest stages. Destructoid. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Palumbo, A. (2026, October 31). Star Wars Jedi 3 Is Far Into Development and Could Be Revealed Soon, Jason Schreier Says, as Respawn Prepares Cal Kestis’ Final Chapter. Wccftech. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Yin-Poole, W. (2026, October 30). BioWare Reportedly Shut Down Because EA Chose to Invest in Star Wars Battlefront 3 Over Mass Effect 5. IGN. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS Purchese, R. (2026, October 30). EA reportedly closed BioWare because it was forced to choose between Mass Effect 5 and Star Wars Battlefront 3. Eurogamer.net. [Article Link]
- ONLINE NEWS LeBlanc, W. (2026, October 30). EA Reportedly Closed BioWare To Invest In Developing Star Wars Battlefront III Instead Of The Next Mass Effect. Game Informer. [Article Link]
