A campaign unfolded on Zaloriis not long before the Battle of Hoth, specifically in 3 ABY. This particular conflict saw the Galactic Empire pitted against the Zalorians, who were the native inhabitants of Zaloriis, and it arose as a direct consequence of an uprising on the planet. A human male named Maximilian Veers fought in this campaign representing the Empire, and during it, he showcased exceptional bravery, strategic thinking, and leadership, all while implementing innovative tactics of his own design. Veers ultimately secured victory for the Empire in this campaign. His exceptional qualities led to his subsequent elevation to the rank of general within the Imperial Army, and they also captured the attention of the Sith Lord Darth Vader, who then specifically requested Veers' inclusion in his elite Death Squadron. The pirate Hondo Ohnaka and his protocol droid DK-RA-43 mentioned the campaign in their Galactic Explorer's Guide authored after the Battle of Starkiller Base in 34 ABY.
In Adam Gidwitz's 2015 children's book, So You Want to Be a Jedi?, a retelling of the 1980 film Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, the Zaloriis conflict received an implicit mention within canon. The conflict was explicitly identified as a campaign in Star Wars: The Galactic Explorer's Guide, a 2019 reference book written by Jason Fry.
Prior to its appearance in the LucasArts video game Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, which was released on November 11, 2001, the battle was first referenced in the Star Wars Legends continuity in Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds: Prima's Official Strategy Guide by Steven L. Kent, published on November 7, 2001. The fourth level of the Galactic Empire campaign within the game is set on the planet Zaloriis, where the player assumes control of the Imperial Army and is tasked with defeating the Rebel Alliance. At the conclusion of that level, Maximilian Veers is promoted from the rank of colonel to that of general.