A new Battle Operation is on the way. Bandai Namco has announced Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 3 during its Gundam Games 40th anniversary livestream, describing it as the next entry in the long-running free-to-play team combat series, according to the official announcement.
The game is coming to PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam, with cross-play between the two platforms. Players enlist as mercenaries and pilot a roster of Mobile Suits in large-scale team battles, where giant robots and infantry fight side by side.
Leaving the cockpit is part of the plan. Beyond fighting enemy Mobile Suits, players can head out on foot to plant base bombs, call in support fire and capture strategic objectives, building on the combined-arms play the series is known for.
Battle Operation 3 will mix Mobile Suits from the Universal Century timeline with those from the Alternative Universe series. Mobile Suit Gundam SEED will be available at launch, and more series are planned for future updates. A new SP Skills system gives each suit unique abilities tied to its role on the team, and a Battle Assist feature with a refined interface is meant to make combos easier to pull off.
Bandai Namco released an announcement trailer alongside the reveal:
Players in Japan will get the first hands-on time. As Gematsu reports, a cross-play network test is scheduled for Nov. 20 and Nov. 22, with sessions from 9:00 to 12:00, 15:00 to 18:00 and 21:00 to 24:00 Japan Standard Time on each day. Bandai Namco has not announced a release date or a test for other regions yet.
Battle Operation 2 has been running on PlayStation for years, so a modern sequel with PC support and cross-play is a big step for the series. It joins a busy stretch for anime games, including Fortnite’s One Piece collaboration.
