Disney cancels Star Wars: Attack Squadrons before it even gets out of beta

Disney's Star Wars: Attack Squadrons, a free-to-play PC game that channeled classic Nintendo 64 title Rogue Squadron, is no more. The developer today canceled the game, just five months after announcing it in December 2013.

A message posted on the game's website informs players of the shutdown. "We want to thank all of the fans who participated in the closed beta of Star Wars: Attack Squadrons," Disney said. "After much consideration, we have decided to cease development so that we can focus on other Star Wars game experiences. We truly appreciate the time you spent engaging in the beta."

Star Wars: Attack Squadrons was going to allow you to pilot classic Star Wars ships such as the X-Wing or TIE Interceptor. Ship customization and multiplayer battles were also planned. The game's dogfighting mode was going to support up to 16 players and even take place in "iconic Star Wars locations."

First-time developer Area 52 Games was behind Star Wars: Attack Squadrons. It's unclear what impact the game's cancellation had or will have on the studio.

Though Star Wars: Attack Squadrons may be no more, Electronic Arts is moving forward on multiple core Star Wars games. Battlefield developer DICE is making a new Star Wars: Battlefront game, while Dead Space creator Visceral Games is rumored to be working on an open-world Star Wars game. Former Naughty Dog creative director Amy Hennig recently joined EA to work on this title.

Disney and Lucasfilm announced in April that going forward, "all aspects of Star Wars storytelling moving forward will be connected." As part of this announcement, Lucasfilm confirmed that all future game releases will also be canonical.