Seven Years Ago Today: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Was Officially Announced at EA Play

gingetattoo Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

It’s been seven years since Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was first announced at EA Play in 2018 — and yes, that makes some of us feel like we’ve aged as much as Obi-Wan between trilogies. What started as a casual tease from Respawn Entertainment during a mid-stream interview quickly snowballed into one of the most beloved Star Wars games in modern memory.

Hard to believe it’s already been that long, but here we are — lightsabers still glowing, BD-1 still adorable, and the gaming galaxy still grateful for that one time EA didn’t open with loot boxes.

Let’s revisit that iconic moment and explore why this announcement is still worth celebrating in 2025.

🛸 A Surprise Reveal Worthy of a Jedi Mind Trick

The way Jedi: Fallen Order was announced was… unconventional, to say the least. No flashy trailer. No orchestra. No dramatic cut to Vader breathing. Instead, we got Respawn’s Vince Zampella casually dropping the bomb during an interview at EA Play 2018:

“Yeah, we’re working on a Star Wars game… it’s called Jedi: Fallen Order.”

That was it. No logo. No sizzle reel. Just a name — and a promise that the story would be set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, during the Jedi Purge.

At the time, expectations were cautiously optimistic. EA’s history with Star Wars titles was mixed at best (Battlefront II microtransactions, anyone?), and the idea of a single-player narrative experience felt almost like a rebellion in itself.

⚔️ What We Got Was a Gamechanger

Fast forward to November 2019, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order delivered everything it promised — and then some. We got:

  • A soulful narrative centered around Cal Kestis, a Jedi Padawan on the run.
  • Metroidvania-style level design mixed with Souls-lite combat mechanics.
  • A loveable droid companion (BD-1, who immediately became merch royalty).
  • Epic lightsaber battles, emotional cutscenes, and cinematic exploration across Star Wars’ most iconic (and obscure) planets.

It didn’t try to reinvent the lightsaber — but it wielded it better than anyone had in years.

🎮 A Turning Point for EA’s Star Wars Legacy

Fallen Order wasn’t just a good game — it was a redemption arc for EA’s stewardship of the Star Wars license.

After the backlash surrounding Battlefront II’s launch in 2017 (and the infamous loot box controversy), EA needed a win. And Jedi: Fallen Order provided it — not through multiplayer chaos or microtransaction-fueled cosmetics, but with heartfelt storytelling, well-designed gameplay, and that elusive feeling of actually being a Jedi on the run.

The game’s success reshaped the conversation around Star Wars in gaming. Suddenly, there was demand for more single-player Jedi adventures. The sequel, Jedi: Survivor, was greenlit. Respawn became a household name in Star Wars circles. And the industry took note.

🧠 What Jedi: Fallen Order Meant to the Broader Gaming Meta

For gamers who dabble in esports, strategy, or high-stakes environments like casino games or betting sims, Fallen Order wasn’t just escapism — it was a technical and tactical playground. Parrying mechanics, stamina management, and spatial awareness translated beautifully from high-speed PvP into single-player strategy.

In short: if you’re the type who bets on the odds, this game rewarded patience and precision — just like a well-played poker hand or an optimized tournament loadout.

Plus, let’s not forget the modding scene. Even today in 2025, Fallen Order remains one of the most modded Star Wars titles on PC — with everything from neon lightsabers to, yes, reskins of Cal as Jar Jar Binks (because of course that exists).

🪐 Seven Years Later: Why It Still Matters

It’s easy to forget how big this moment was. In 2018, Star Wars gaming was treading water. Then came that EA Play announcement — and suddenly, the tide shifted.

Now, Jedi: Fallen Order stands as a pillar of modern Star Wars gaming. It’s right up there with Knights of the Old Republic, The Force Unleashed, and Battlefront II (post-rework, of course). It redefined what a story-driven Star Wars experience could be, and opened the door for new Jedi stories that aren’t Skywalker-centric.

If you’re new to the series, now’s the perfect time to jump in. And if you’ve already followed Cal Kestis on his journey, maybe give it another run. Turn off the HUD, bump up the difficulty, and feel the Force all over again.

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