Bandai Namco has announced Gundam Battle Operation 3 as a free-to-play game for PS5 and PC via Steam.
Revealed on October 28, 2026, the new team-based action game does not yet have a release date. Players will pilot giant combat robots known as mobile suits and can leave the cockpit to carry out infantry objectives.
How does Gundam Battle Operation 3 play?
Teams compete to score more points before time runs out. Destroying enemy mobile suits and defeating infantry earns points, while capturing relay points and attacking the opposing base create further opportunities.
Infantry has a distinct role. Leaving your mobile suit allows you to capture a relay point where teammates can redeploy or plant a bomb to destroy the enemy base and earn a large point reward. Opponents can defuse it before detonation, turning the bomb into another contested objective.
Every mobile suit gains an SP Skill, while Battle Assist simplifies the inputs needed to execute combos. The developers have also announced visual upgrades to mobile suits, maps and avatars.
Gundam SEED joins the launch lineup
Battle Operation 3 expands its roster beyond the Universal Century timeline. Gundam SEED will be represented at launch, with another two or three series planned for the first year of service. Mass-produced units such as BuCUE will also appear.
The game requires an internet connection and a PlayStation Network or Steam account, and offers paid content. Its announced specification supports up to 18 players, with match size depending on the mode. The upcoming test, for example, includes rated matches for up to six players per side and custom matches for up to nine per side.
Who can join the November network test?
The PS5 and Steam network test is restricted to Battle Operation 2 players residing in Japan who are willing to complete surveys. Applicants need a Bandai Namco ID linked to their PlayStation or Steam account and must apply through the notice screen in Battle Operation 2.
Applications are scheduled to close at 9:59 p.m. Vietnam time on November 8, equivalent to 11:59 p.m. JST. Participants will be selected by lottery, with notification emails expected from November 16.
| Test date | Sessions in Vietnam time (UTC+7) |
|---|---|
| November 20, 2026 | 07:00–10:00, 13:00–16:00 and 19:00–22:00 |
| November 22, 2026 | 07:00–10:00, 13:00–16:00 and 19:00–22:00 |
The test supports cross-play between PS5 and Steam. Nine-versus-nine custom matches are available only on November 22. The residency requirement excludes players living in Vietnam from this recruitment round.
Sources: Bandai Namco, game rules, infantry mechanics, network test requirements and the development team's October 28 introduction. Image: Bandai Namco Entertainment / Sunrise. Checked October 30, 2026.
