In Star Wars: Squadrons, players will enlist as starfighter pilots, stepping into the cockpits of iconic starfighters from both the New Republic and Imperial fleets. They’ll plan skirmishes with their squadron in the briefing room before taking off for space battles across the galaxy. Players will engage in strategic 5v5 multiplayer space battles with the goal of demolishing the opposing flagship in Fleet Battles and will feel the rush of first-person multiplayer combat as they work with their squadron to defeat as many opponents as possible in Dogfights. Pilots will triumph as a team, adjusting the composition of their squadrons to suit their playstyles as they progress, crushing their opponents and completing objectives across known and never-before-seen locations, including the gas giant of Yavin Prime and the shattered moon of Galitan.

Star Wars: Squadrons will offer rich cosmetic and gameplay customization options with rewards and bonuses that are earned solely through gameplay. As players move up the ranks, they’ll earn components  such as weapons, hulls, engines and shields to customize the performance of their starfighters; and gain cosmetic items to customize their cockpit, ship exteriors, and appearance of their pilot. In addition, players will be able to squad up with their friends and play against others, regardless of platform, as cross-play will be supported on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, and VR.

Star Wars: Squadrons will also feature a single-player story that brings to life events following the Battle of Endor when the Rebel Alliance has successfully destroyed the Death Star II. Through the story, players  will learn what it means to be a pilot as they battle from the alternating perspectives of two customizable pilots, one serving in the New Republic’s heroic Vanguard Squadron, while the other fights for the Galactic Empire’s fearsome Titan Squadron. The authentic story features a diverse cast of original characters, as well as some cameos from familiar faces in the Star Wars galaxy.

The all-new single-player trailer expands on the story of Star Wars: Squadrons and the alternating perspective players will experience as they go back and forth as two customizable pilots on opposing missions to safeguard the newly formed New Republic, or to help restore order to The Galactic Empire.

Motive's Star Wars: Squadrons writer Joanna Berryc gives an overview of the narrative featured in Star Wars: Squadrons and how it relates to the overall Star Wars storyline, as well some background on the two key squadrons: the New Republic’s heroic Vanguard Squadron, and the Galactic Empire’s fearsome Titan Squadron. 

The team at Motive has been working hard on Squadrons’ story, script, and characters over the past few years. Through great collaboration with the Story Group at Lucasfilm Ltd., we’ve been crafting a narrative that fits well in the Star Wars galaxy and tells a tale that was pivotal to the war effort on both sides.

Jo Berry: Once we decided Squadrons would have a single-player story, the emerging gameplay set out the foundations. Players would need to learn to fly ships from both factions, so I knew we’d be telling our story from both an Imperial and New Republic point of view. The story also had to work from a first-person perspective, mostly from the cockpit, with two customisable protagonists from opposing factions, while giving players the fun characters and memorable moments they expect from a Star Wars tale.

One of the most interesting things about the time period Squadrons is set in—only a few months after the Battle of Endor—is that while we, the audience, know how all this ends, from our characters’ point of view there’s still a lot of uncertainty. The New Republic has only recently changed from a rebellion into a legitimate government with a galactic war on its hands. Meanwhile, the Empire has lost its Emperor, and the cracks are starting to show. Some Imperials are loyal, some are in denial, and while everyone agrees that the rebels must be destroyed, there are disagreements about what strategy to take—and who should lead.

As you switch perspectives throughout the course of the story, you’ll have an opportunity to interact with and fly alongside your respective allies: Vanguard Squadron for the New Republic, and Titan Squadron for the Empire.

Jo Berry: Squadrons is fundamentally about teamwork, so players need a good team at their side during the single-player story to effectively learn the ropes. For our characters in the New Republic, this moment is about taking apart what the Empire has made and building something better. It’s not just about winning the war, but winning it their way; staying true to themselves and what the Rebellion fought for, while facing an Empire that’s wounded but still extremely dangerous.

I admit, I love writing that kind of Lawful Evil perspective, and I’d enjoyed doing Imperial content here and there for Star WarsTM: The Old RepublicTM. For Squadrons, I wanted to give players a taste of what it was like to be a TIE pilot at the height of the Empire’s power; and then later, explore what might make an otherwise-reasonable person fight loyally for the archetypal evil regime. For our Imperial characters, everything they believe in is being tested. Titan Squadron and Terisa Kerrill are Imperial loyalists in a time when many of their peers are either infighting or deserting. So now, when the metaphorical ship is sinking and the captain is dead, the question for those characters is always, “Why are you still at your post?” Are you loyal to the ideals of the Empire, or to the squadron you serve with? What does being Imperial mean to you, and what are you willing to do to defend it?

We’re less than two months away from the release, but we still have a bit more to detail before then, so stay tuned! And as always, be sure to sound off with any questions or feedback you may have. We’re always eager to read your thoughts and share in your excitement.

Soon, though, the final member of each squadron will suit up and take to the skies: you. As you switch perspectives throughout the course of the story, you’ll have an opportunity to fly alongside your respective allies: Vanguard Squadron for the New Republic and Titan Squadron for the Empire. The galaxy awaits!

Star Wars: Squadrons is available now for pre-order and lands on retail and digital storefronts on October 2 for $39.99. EA Access and Origin Access Basic subscribers can enjoy up to 10 hours of play time at launch, along with 10% off the purchase of the full game. Origin Access Premier subscribers will get full access to Star Wars: Squadrons on PC along with all the benefits of Basic as long as they subscribe.

Star Wars: Squadrons will launch October 2, 2020 on PS4, Xbox One, PC (Origin, Steam and the Epic Games Store), and will be playable via Virtual Reality (VR) on PS 4 and PC with cross-play support.