Bit Reactor, the developer behind Star Wars Zero Company, has reportedly laid off some employees who were not brought back after an earlier furlough. This follows the studio's move last month to rehire a number of developers who had been furloughed prior to the game's August launch.
While the studio did not initially specify how many developers returned, a separate report suggested that over half of the furloughed staff were reinstated. However, it now appears that not all former employees were rehired, with several individuals sharing news of their layoffs on LinkedIn. Among them is producer Michael Blackard, senior QA analyst Ryan Mosher, and environment artist Ryan Lopez, who stated, "I was laid off from Bit Reactor this week after a three-month furlough, and while it stings, I’m really proud of what we built together." Lopez had reportedly been with the studio for over three years, having joined during the game's pre-production phase.
UI engineer Tyler Eichten also confirmed his departure, stating, "As of today, my time with Bit Reactor has come to a close due to a layoff. I am immensely proud of the work that I, the UI/UX team, and the team at large have accomplished. I hope that in this tumultuous industry that my coworkers (and myself) find placement." It remains unclear how many other staffers may have been affected, and Bit Reactor has yet to issue an official comment.
The news is particularly disappointing given Star Wars Zero Company's reported critical and commercial success. The studio has not commented on the situation.