GOG restores multiplayer in original Star Wars Battlefront 2

The original Star Wars Battlefront 2 (2005) has been updated today, restoring multiplayer to the game. This all seems to be thanks to GOG, who have an announcement about the returning multiplayer on their site.

To be absolutely clear, because it is potentially confusing, this is all concerning the original Star Wars Battlefront 2 (created by Pandemic and published by Lucasarts in 2005), not the upcoming EA game. The tendency to reboot videogame series’ at a rapid pace means you sometimes get these situations where games have exactly the same name.

The 2005 title lost its multiplayer functionality in 2014, when server network GameSpy was shut down by new owners Ziff Davis. Many games, including Saints Row 2 and Battlefield 2 were affected by the sudden shutdown. In some cases, third parties stepped up to maintain and restore the online aspect of the affected games.

In this instance, GOG have stepped in. Star Wars Battlefront 2 multiplayer will use the GOG Galaxy platform, and also allow cross-play with the Steam version (which is getting the same multiplayer update today). You’ll be able to partake in 64 player matches on either platform, and play against people using either version. It restores five different modes of play; Conquest, Assault, one-and two-flag Capture the Flag, and Hunt. The update is reportedly 3.2GB in size.

To coincide with this news, GOG has put Star Wars Battlefront 2 on sale. You can get it for $4 USD (down from the usual $10 USD). They’re also selling a large ‘Saber Bundle‘ featuring a whole load of classic Star Wars games, including Battlefront 2.