Star Wars: First Assault, the multiplayer FPS that never saw the light of day after Disney shut down LucasArts in 2013, is now playable online for the first time. Thanks to a dedicated team of modders, a slice of the original beta build has resurfaced, and anyone can jump in through a public Discord server.
The game was originally set to let players team up as Rebels or Stormtroopers and blast each other across iconic Star Wars locations. Footage shows off chunky, grounded gunplay, with Tatooine’s sandy streets providing dense, vertical layouts. Ships take off in the background, and multiple classes and weapons are on display. If it looks like Battlefront, that’s because it was meant to scratch that same itch-before getting the axe just months before launch.
For gamers, this is a rare shot at a lost Star Wars experience. First Assault was reportedly killed less than 24 hours before its announcement, with development costs already sunk. Designer Patrick Wren said the game “would have just made them money since dev costs were done.” Now, a decade later, fans can finally see what could have been, complete with online matches and thermal detonators flying everywhere.
This isn’t the first time footage of First Assault has leaked-clips have been floating around since 2015. But this marks the first time real players can log in and frag each other online, not just watch from the sidelines. The modders behind the revival seem confident enough to run things in the open, despite Disney now holding the license. Whether they’re legally in the clear or just daring Disney to notice is anyone’s guess.
What makes this revival special?
Unlike other lost game leaks, First Assault was nearly finished when it was canned. That means the current build is surprisingly polished, with solid combat and recognizable Star Wars flair. The modders’ work brings back a piece of gaming history that was all but erased when Disney took over the galaxy far, far away.
There’s no word on how long this playable build will stay up. Disney has a history of shutting down fan projects, especially those using the Star Wars license. But for now, the community is getting a rare taste of a shooter that was supposed to be a sure thing for LucasArts-until the Mouse pulled the plug.
The bottom line
- Star Wars: First Assault is playable online thanks to modders and a public Discord.
- It’s a rare chance to experience a nearly finished, officially cancelled Star Wars FPS.
- How long it stays up is anyone’s guess-play it while you can.