Star Wars: Commander, a mobile strategy game incorporating characters, settings, and technology from the Star Wars universe, was brought to players by Disney Interactive. It initially launched on iOS devices on August 21, 2014 via a limited early release to some international locations. The game's servers were officially deactivated on June 12, 2020.
- Select your allegiance: Will you command the Empire with AT-ATs and TIE Fighters? Or will you lead the Rebellion, calling upon iconic figures such as Han Solo and Princess Leia?
- Establish and protect your stronghold: Develop specialized troops for each faction, and reinforce your base using deflector shields, turrets, heavy artillery, and various defensive structures!
- Orchestrate grand conflicts: Deploy potent armies, units, and vehicles strategically against rival factions and players throughout the galaxy!
- Create the ultimate Squad: Forge powerful alliances with your friends and other players!
- Journey across diverse planets and tackle unique assignments: Engage in a brand-new narrative as a courageous leader on the frontlines of the Galactic Civil War.
- Improve your combat team and defense systems: Enhance your forces through multiple levels of upgrades for each unit! [8]
The game's plot unfolds in the period between the Star Wars films A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. A group of hired guns lands on Tatooine with the goal of building a fresh operational base. Saponza, along with his partner, heads up this group. The mercenaries establish their new headquarters at Saponza's homestead.
Soon after they settle in, a gang of hoodlums launches an assault on the base. After the defeat of these thugs, the group learns that they were employed by Jabba the Hutt, and that he is upset by the setback.
Seeking allies to defend against Jabba, the mercenaries accept contract work from both the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance.
Upon their return from these jobs, the mercenaries discover their base has been razed by Jabba's forces. To rebuild, they must commit entirely to either the Empire or the Rebels.
Star Wars: Commander is a strategy title compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows devices. Players interact using the touchscreen and receive instructions from characters via holograms. They develop their base by gathering credits and alloy, then constructing various buildings. The Research Lab allows for upgrades to troops and vehicles. Special hero units can be created in the game. These heroes are unique to each side. For instance, players aligned with the Rebel Alliance can enlist Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and R2-D2. The Empire can recruit Darth Vader, Elite AT-AT, Royal Guard and Veteran AT-ST.
Disney Interactive, the game's publisher, announced the game on its Tumblr page on June 24, 2014. A limited release occurred in certain markets, including Australia, followed by its general release on iOS on August 21, 2014. It was subsequently released on Android and Windows 8 platforms on September 18, 2014. However, the Windows servers and Apple/Android servers operated independently, preventing cross-server interaction between players.
In mid-October 2014, a "hackathon" took place where the game's developers generated ideas for new features. The winning feature was "faction flipping," allowing players to create a secondary account to play for the opposite side, either the Empire or the Rebellion, without losing progress on their current account. The people's-choice winning idea was traps, exemplified by a sarlacc pit capable of engulfing nearby troops.
On August 21, 2018, it was revealed that Disney was transferring control of Star Wars: Commander to Zynga, with its subsidiaries NaturalMotion taking over the live services.
On March 13, 2020, an in-game announcement stated that the game would be shut down on June 12 2020, at 11 am GST. All in-app purchases were disabled, and the game was removed from app stores.