Back in 2014 popular multiplayer service GameSpy shut down, and with it the multiplayer servers for many games such as Battlefield 1942, Neverwinter Nights, Borderlands, ARMA 2, C&C Generals and a lot more went completely dead. One such game affected was LucasArts and Pandemic's Star Wars Battlefront II from 2005, which since 2014 gamers have only been able to play through server emulator service GameRanger. Now, just a month before EA's own Star Wars Battlefront 2 comes out, GOG have announced that they're bringing back official multiplayer servers for the original Battlefront II - for both GOG and Steam versions of the game.
Guide to the Locations and Planets in Star Wars Battlefront 2!
The servers will be powered by GOG's own client GOG Galaxy, which allows players to run either the GOG or Steam versions of Battlefront II 2005, and will allow players to access the multiplayer servers in-game without all that tedious faffing about in GameRanger. Disney, the current Star Wars licence holders, have apparently given their blessing to the project.
GOG announced this to coincide with their sale of Star Wars Battlefront II, which is currently 60% off alongside all Disney games on GOG.com. The multiplayer update for the game is live right now. Here's what they said:
"A long time ago… The original STAR WARS Battlefront 2 fell casualty to the GameSpy shutdown. Ever since, the game’s most dedicated fans would have to resort to third-party tools to get back on the battlefield – but no longer! Together with Disney, we’ve brought back the classic STAR WARS multiplayer experience once and for all! Powered by GOG Galaxy, players on GOG.com and Steam can once again clash in what is still one of the best and most iconic STAR WARS games ever produced. No extra tools required, just launch the game via Steam or GOG.com and join us in-game!"
Star Wars Battlefront II was released in 2005 alongside Star Wars Episode III - Revenge of the Sith by LucasArts and Pandemic, two companies who no longer exist. Many fans still call it the best Star Wars multiplayer game due to it's use of both Prequel and Classic settings, maps that included space battles, and enjoyable offline experience. EA are doing their best to beat all of that with Battlefront 2, out next month. We're very excited, but we'll definitely be giving classic Battlefront II a go as well tonight. Care to join us folks?
