After a few delays, the free-to-play arena shooterStar Wars: Hunterswas released for Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android earlier this year. Although the game’s launch wasn’t met with much fanfare within mainstream gaming circles, it appeared to have attracted a large-enough playerbase. Zynga and NaturalMotion, the developers behindStar Wars: Hunters, have consistently supported the game throughout 2024. Its most recent update, which went live on November 25, added a new playable character, an original map, and a brand-new Holo-Arcade mode, among other things. On top of all this,Star Wars: Huntersis going to be released on a new platform in the near future.
On November 26, Zynga officially announced thatStar Wars: Hunterswas finally coming to Windows PCsvia Steam, more than six months after its initial launch. This version of the game, which is scheduled to release on June 23, 2025, will contain various PC-specific features, such as higher-resolution textures, improved shadows, keybinding options, Xbox controller support, and high detail layers in certain arenas. The formerly Switch-exclusive shooter will launch in Steam’s Early Access program and won’t receive a 1.0 version on PC until mid-2025. While it’s great thatStar Wars: Huntersis soon going to be accessible on more platforms, its PC port is potentially being released at an inopportune time.
Star Wars: Hunters Will Face Some Stiff Competition on PC
The Upcoming Hero Shooter Marvel Rivals is Releasing Near Star Wars: Hunters
Star Wars: Huntersis a live service game, so naturally, it will face a lot of competition when it hits PC. In fact, just one month before the Zynga-developed game makes its debut on the platform,Marvel Rivalswill be released on Steam. For those who are out of the loop,Marvel Rivalsis an upcoming PvP hero shooter developed by NetEase Games, the developer ofDiablo ImmortalandOnce Human. LikeStar Wars: Hunters, this game is free-to-play and is based on a highly-popular Disney property. It, however, appears to be gaining a lot more traction than Zynga’s recently-released arena shooter.
Marvel Rivals Could Eat into Star Wars: Hunters' Mind Share on PC, So a Delay May Be Ideal
BecauseMarvel Rivalstechnically isn’t in the same genre asStar Wars: Hunters, some may not consider the two games competitors. However,both titles are third-person shootersattached to massive pop culture franchises, and, therefore, may have some overlap in terms of target audiences.Star Wars: Huntersis doing decently, but it hasn’t set the world on fire at the moment.MarvelRivals, on the other hand, looks like it’s going to be the next big live service hit. If NetEase’s upcoming hero shooter does become a huge success as its high player counts suggest, then it may end up eatingStar Wars: Hunters' lunch, given that the games are releasing close to each other on PC.
It looks like2025 is going to be incredibly stackedwhen it comes to video games, but there haven’t been a lot of major live service titles dated for the first half of the year. Taking this into account, it may be better for Zynga to pushStar Wars: Hunters' PC launch back by a few months in order to give the game more breathing room, away fromMarvel Rivalsand other, similar titles. March seems like a pretty vacant month so far, especially on PC, so it may be an ideal time to bring a free-to-play live service shooter likeStar Wars: Huntersto a new platform.
Star Wars: Hunters
WHERE TO PLAY
NEW STAR WARS EXPERIENCELocated deep in the Outer Rim on the planet of Vespaara and broadcast far and wide on the HoloNet, the stories and legends of battles that define galactic history are brought to life to entertain audiences and create champions seeking fame and fortune in this new gladiatorial spectacle.MEET THE HUNTERSGear up for battle and pick a Hunter that suits your playstyle from a regularly updated roster of new characters including nefarious bounty hunters, heroes of the Rebellion, Imperial stormtroopers, and everything in between. Outclass opponents by mastering diverse abilities, skills and strategies while fighting it out in intense 4v4 third-person combat and dominating opponents on the road to fame in The Arena.
