Is the Star Wars Battlefront II Campaign Canon? A Deep Dive into the Galaxy Far, Far Away
Yes, the Star Wars Battlefront II (2017) campaign is considered canon within the Star Wars universe. While it faced initial controversies regarding its loot box system, the story itself, focusing on Inferno Squad and Operation: Cinder, has been integrated into the official Star Wars canon. Its depiction of key events and characters has influenced various other Star Wars media, including novels, comics, the Star Wars: Squadrons game, and even elements within The Mandalorian live-action series. This makes Iden Versio’s journey and the events surrounding her a legitimate part of the Star Wars narrative, contributing significantly to the established timeline and lore.
Battlefront II: A Canon Cornerstone
The importance of Battlefront II’s campaign to the canon cannot be overstated. Before its release, the post-Return of the Jedi landscape was relatively sparse in established canon beyond the original trilogy. The game served as one of the first significant visual media to depict events immediately following the Battle of Endor, providing context and consequences of the Empire’s collapse.
Operation: Cinder and its Impact
The centerpiece of Battlefront II’s canon contribution is its portrayal of Operation: Cinder. This Imperial contingency plan, enacted by Emperor Palpatine posthumously, involved the destruction of Imperial worlds as a means to punish the galaxy for celebrating the Emperor’s death and to consolidate remaining Imperial forces. The game showed the chaos and devastation caused by this operation, forcing Iden Versio and her squad to grapple with the moral implications of their orders and ultimately defect to the Rebel Alliance (later the New Republic).
Spreading the Canon Web
Operation: Cinder’s depiction in Battlefront II became a foundational element for subsequent stories. It has been explored in greater detail in novels like Alphabet Squadron and the Poe Dameron comic series, enriching the narrative and providing further context to the political landscape of the New Republic era. The effects of Cinder are even felt in The Mandalorian, where the remnants of the Empire are still attempting to carry out their objectives, hinting back to the original devastation. The game, therefore, served as an anchor point that helped guide various storylines and maintain the coherency of the new canon.
Understanding Star Wars Canon
Navigating the waters of Star Wars canon can be confusing. After Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, the Star Wars Expanded Universe (now known as Legends) was rebranded as a separate continuity, while a new canon was established. This new canon includes:
- The three trilogies of films (Episodes I-IX).
- The Clone Wars and Rebels animated series.
- Spin-off films like Rogue One and Solo.
- All books and comics released after April 25, 2015 (with some exceptions for reprinted Legends material).
- Games like Battlefront II, Jedi: Fallen Order, and Star Wars: Squadrons.
The distinction between canon and Legends is crucial. While Legends content is still valued and enjoyed by fans, it is not considered part of the official Star Wars timeline. Everything within the new canon is intended to fit together cohesively, creating a unified narrative.
Battlefront II Campaign: Integral to the Canon
Given the definition of the new canon, and the influence that Battlefront II’s story has had, there is no question about its canonicity. Its importance in portraying the immediate aftermath of the original trilogy and the consequential events that follow clearly position it as a valuable and fundamental piece of the Star Wars canon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Battlefront II and Canon
1. What specifically from the Battlefront II campaign is considered canon?
The overall storyline featuring Iden Versio, Inferno Squad, Operation: Cinder, and their eventual defection to the Rebellion/New Republic is all part of the canon. The events depicted on planets like Vardos and Jakku, and the fates of the characters involved, are all officially part of the Star Wars timeline.
2. How does the Battlefront II campaign fit into the overall Star Wars timeline?
The campaign starts during the Battle of Endor and concludes with the Battle of Jakku, which takes place approximately one year after the destruction of the second Death Star. It bridges the gap between Return of the Jedi and the events leading up to The Force Awakens, establishing key elements of the New Republic era.
3. Are the multiplayer battles in Battlefront II canon?
While specific player actions within Galactic Assault and other multiplayer modes aren’t canon, it has been confirmed that these modes depict real canon events and battles that occurred throughout the Star Wars timeline. The overall outcomes of these battles are considered to align with the established narrative.
4. Is Iden Versio Rey’s mother?
No. The Resurrection DLC for Battlefront II officially debunked the theory that Iden Versio is Rey’s mother by introducing her and Del Meeko’s daughter, Zay.
5. What happened to Iden Versio after the events of the Battlefront II campaign?
Iden Versio continues to serve the New Republic after the Battle of Jakku. As seen in the Resurrection DLC, she is involved in conflicts against the First Order, eventually sacrificing herself to protect her daughter, Zay, and other members of the Resistance.
6. Did any of the characters or events from the original Battlefront games make it into canon?
No. The original Battlefront games and their stories fall under the Star Wars Legends banner and are not considered canon to the current Star Wars continuity.
7. Why was Battlefront 3 cancelled?
While there were various rumors and reports, the primary reason often cited for the cancellation of Battlefront 3 (developed by Free Radical Design) was related to financial considerations and licensing costs. EA later rebooted the series with DICE, producing Star Wars Battlefront (2015) and Star Wars Battlefront II (2017).
8. What other games are considered part of the Star Wars canon?
Besides Battlefront II, other notable canon Star Wars games include Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Star Wars: Squadrons, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, and Star Wars: Uprising. These games contribute to expanding the canon narrative and lore.
9. How much creative control does Lucasfilm have over canon content?
Lucasfilm has complete creative control over what is considered canon. All content must be approved by the Lucasfilm Story Group to ensure consistency and coherence across all platforms and mediums.
10. What if there are discrepancies between different canon sources?
The hierarchy of canon prioritizes the films and animated series as the primary sources. In the event of contradictions, the films and animated series take precedence, and the Lucasfilm Story Group will work to reconcile any discrepancies in other media.
11. Are the novelizations of the Star Wars films considered canon?
Yes, the novelizations are considered canon, however, the films themselves always take precedence. So, if the novelization includes a piece of information that is not consistent with what’s portrayed in the films, the information within the film is correct.
12. Does the Battlefront II campaign affect the stories of the sequel trilogy?
While the Battlefront II campaign is set before the events of the sequel trilogy, it establishes the state of the galaxy and sets the stage for the rise of the First Order. Elements like the remnants of the Empire and the birth of the Resistance are all influenced by the events depicted in the campaign.
13. Where can I learn more about the Star Wars canon?
Official Star Wars websites, novels, comics, and video games are all excellent sources for learning more about the canon. Fan communities and forums can also provide detailed discussions and insights, however, ensure you are verifying any information with the official sources mentioned above.
14. Will there be another Battlefront game?
As of 2024, there are no confirmed plans for a Battlefront 3. The future of the Battlefront series remains uncertain, but given the popularity of the franchise, it is possible that a new installment could be developed in the future.
15. Why was Battlefront 2 initially so controversial?
Battlefront II faced heavy criticism upon release due to its emphasis on microtransactions and loot boxes. Players felt that these systems created a “pay-to-win” environment, where those who spent more money had a significant advantage. EA eventually removed these systems and reworked the game’s progression, leading to its eventual redemption.
This is all part of the broader scope of game design, game theory, and learning through games. Visit the Games Learning Society to learn more about these educational applications of gaming.
The Star Wars canon is an ever-evolving and ever-expanding entity, and the Battlefront II campaign stands as a vital component of that galaxy far, far away.