'Star Wars: Battlefront 2' release date, latest news: Upcoming 'Star Wars' game sequel to feature single-player mode?

"Star Wars: Battlefront" enjoyed a great deal of positive reactions from gaming fans, other than about one important thing — the game lacked a single-player mode. But it looks like EA will be making up for that oversight by releasing a sequel game next year, equipped with the sought-after single-player element.

The rumor is all but confirmed considering the statements made by EA's Justin McCully about the Battlefront game franchise during an Achievement Oriented podcast this December. As reported by Game Spot, McCully mentioned that the main focus of 2015's "Battlefront" was on multiplayer gaming.

According to McCully, the focus of "Star Wars: Battlefront" was to nail the core multiplayer experience. However, with the expansion of the "Star Wars" universe, they now have a better sense of what characters will come into play, which stories can be told, and which of these stories are being told in the films and in the games. Hence, it looks like the upcoming game is ready to answer the hopes of many gamers who prefer the single-player option.

"We heard the fans loud and clear that the multiplayer was great, but it wasn't enough and they wanted that complete package. So the team has been very focused on delivering that single-player element," McCully said.

Previously, EA CFO Blake Jorgensen acknowledged that "Star Wars: Battlefront" may have lacked the depth expected by hardcore players as a consequence of making the game more "accessible." Another reason why the current "Battlefront" game wasn't equipped with a single-player mode was because they wanted to launch it in time for the release of the seventh "Star Wars" movie, "The Force Awakens."

Nevertheless, despite the criticisms about its lack of depth and lack of a single-player element, "Star Wars: Battlefront" went on to ship a reported figure of 14 million copies, making it one of the most successful "Star Wars" games ever.

"Star Wars: Battlefront 2" is reportedly scheduled to launch sometime in the final quarter of 2017.