What was Project Viking?

Project Viking was a planned Star Wars Battlefront spin-off developed by EA Vancouver and Criterion Games. It was designed to be an open-world game with a strong focus on story and characters, aiming for a release on next-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Which studios were working on Project Viking?

EA Vancouver led the development of Project Viking, with support from Criterion Games. Criterion contributed their expertise, particularly in designing gameplay experiences, as they had previously worked on space combat elements in Star Wars Battlefront II.

Was Project Viking a single-player or multiplayer game?

While specific details about its gameplay were limited, Project Viking was intended to offer an open-world experience with a strong emphasis on story and character development, suggesting that it would have likely included single-player elements. It might have also featured multiplayer aspects, given its roots as a Battlefront spin-off.

Will there be another open-world Star Wars game?

FAQ About Project Viking: The Canceled Star Wars Game What was Project Viking? Project Viking was a planned Star Wars Battlefront spin-off developed by EA Vancouver and Criterion Games. It was designed to be an open-world game with a strong focus on story and characters, aiming for a release on next-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Why was Project Viking canceled? Project Viking was canceled in 2019 due to development challenges, delays, and a shift in EA's strategy towards projects with a quicker turnaround time. EA opted to focus on other Star Wars games that better aligned with their business goals. Which studios were working on Project Viking? EA Vancouver led the development of Project Viking, with support from Criterion Games. Criterion contributed their expertise, particularly in designing gameplay experiences, as they had previously worked on space combat elements in Star Wars Battlefront II. Was Project Viking a single-player or multiplayer game? While specific details about its gameplay were limited, Project Viking was intended to offer an open-world experience with a strong emphasis on story and character development, suggesting that it would have likely included single-player elements. It might have also featured multiplayer aspects, given its roots as a Battlefront spin-off. Will there be another open-world Star Wars game? Yes, after Project Viking's cancellation, Ubisoft's Massive Entertainment announced they are working on a new open-world Star Wars game. This project is expected to give fans the expansive, story-rich experience they hoped to see in Viking.

What other Star Wars projects were canceled by EA?

In addition to Project Viking, EA also canceled Project Ragtag (a story-driven game led by Amy Hennig) and Project Orca (an open-world concept that emerged after Ragtag's cancellation). These cancellations were part of EA’s shift away from ambitious, long-term Star Wars projects.

Project Viking: The Canceled Open-World Star Wars Game That Almost Changed Everything

Alright, fellow Star Wars enthusiasts, buckle up for a tale of a Star Wars game that almost made the jump to hyperspace—until it was suddenly scrapped. We’re talking about Project Viking, a Star Wars Battlefront spin-off that was in development at EA Vancouver and Criterion Games. This game promised open-world adventures, deep storytelling, and a next-gen experience—but it was canceled before it could see the light of a twin sunset.

So, what happened with Viking? Let’s dive into the details of this lost chapter in the Star Wars gaming universe!

A New Hope for Star Wars Gamers: The Concept Behind Project Viking

First off, let’s talk about what Project Viking was supposed to be. After the well-documented demise of Project Ragtag, the single-player Star Wars game from Visceral Games and Amy Hennig (yeah, the one behind Uncharted), EA needed a new plan. Enter Project Viking. It wasn’t going to be just another Battlefront game. Nope, this was set to be an ambitious, open-world adventure with a strong focus on story and characters.

Imagine this: exploring a galaxy far, far away, engaging with richly developed characters, and wandering through iconic planets with the freedom to chart your own course. Sounds pretty cool, right? It was meant to blend the thrilling Battlefront action with a deeper narrative—something that Star Wars fans had been craving.

Criterion Games Joins the Party (But Things Get Complicated)

To bring Viking to life, EA tapped Criterion Games, the studio known for high-speed thrills in the Burnout series and their space combat contributions in Star Wars Battlefront II. Teaming up with EA Vancouver, the goal was to create a game that would serve as a launch title for the next generation of consoles—PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

But, as it often goes in game development, not everything went smoothly. Reports suggest that Criterion and EA Vancouver struggled to align their creative visions. If you’ve ever tried to get a group of friends to agree on what pizza toppings to order, you probably get the picture. But instead of pepperoni versus pineapple, it was a matter of gameplay direction and design. This led to delays and difficulties that started to bog down the project.

The Cancellation: A Disturbance in the Force

So, why was Project Viking canceled? The decision came in 2019, just a year before it was intended to release alongside the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. According to various reports, EA executives decided to pull the plug due to a combination of factors: development delays, misaligned visions, and a general shift in EA’s strategy.

And let’s be real, EA wasn’t exactly on a hot streak with Star Wars games at the time. The Battlefront II launch debacle in 2017 (yep, that loot box controversy) made the publisher cautious about taking big risks. Instead of doubling down on the ambitious, open-world nature of Viking, they chose to focus on games that could come together more quickly and with a clearer path to market success.

What Could Have Been: Why Fans Are Still Talking About Project Viking

Despite its cancellation, Project Viking continues to stir up conversation among Star Wars fans. The idea of an open-world Star Wars game with a rich story is like the white whale of gaming—something that fans dream of but never quite get. Sure, we eventually got Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order from Respawn Entertainment, which scratched some of that itch, but Viking could have taken things in a different direction.

Imagine a game that blended the narrative depth of Ragtag with the large-scale battles and expansive maps of Battlefront, while giving you the freedom to roam a galaxy packed with secrets. It could have been the best of both worlds—but, alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe somewhere out there in the galaxy, there’s a timeline where Viking made it to the finish line. (If only we had a world-between-worlds portal handy!)

Why Did EA Cancel So Many Star Wars Projects?

Now, you might be thinking, “Wait, didn’t EA have the exclusive Star Wars game license for nearly a decade? Why so many canceled projects?” Good question, Padawan. Let’s do a quick recap: after EA acquired the exclusive license from Disney in 2013, they announced multiple ambitious projects. But beyond the Battlefront games, there was a trail of cancellations, including Ragtag, Orca, and finally, Viking.

Part of the issue seems to be EA’s shifting priorities. The publisher increasingly leaned towards live-service games with multiplayer components, which could keep players coming back (and potentially spending) over time. Single-player or heavily story-driven games, like Ragtag and Viking, were often seen as riskier investments.

Moving Forward: Is There Hope for Another Open-World Star Wars Game?

While Project Viking may never see the light of day, there’s some hope for fans yearning for an open-world Star Wars experience. Ubisoft’s Massive Entertainment (the studio behind The Division) is now working on an open-world Star Wars game, and if rumors are to be believed, it could be the expansive experience we’ve all been waiting for.

Plus, with EA’s exclusive Star Wars license no longer in place, there’s room for other developers to try their hand at the galaxy far, far away. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get a game that blends the scale and ambition of Viking with a solid release.

Wrapping It Up: A Canceled Dream, But Not Forgotten

So, that’s the story of Project Viking: a game that had big ambitions, an all-star development team, and a prime release window—only to be canceled before it could become a reality. It’s a classic case of “what could have been” in the Star Wars gaming saga.

For now, we’ll have to settle for dreaming of what it would have been like to explore that open world, chatting with smugglers, hunting bounties, and forging our own path through the galaxy. But, hey, the Force works in mysterious ways. Maybe one day, we’ll get a game that delivers on those dreams.

Until then, may the Force (and your game library) be with you!

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