Bit Reactor, the development studio responsible for the recently launched Star Wars Zero Company, has furloughed most of its staff just before the game's release. The critically acclaimed title has achieved bestseller status on Steam, but this success is now overshadowed by reports of the studio's internal financial struggles and workforce impact.
A report from Game File highlighted claims by former Bit Reactor employee Zachariah Scott, who stated the company was "concealing the fact that the team was furloughed weeks ago." This occurred while CEO Greg Foertsch was reportedly discussing the studio's next project at Gamescom. Bit Reactor has since confirmed to Game File that a significant portion of its staff is now on furlough, though specific numbers remain unconfirmed. The report suggests that approximately 80% of the studio's employees have been placed on unpaid leave, with a skeleton crew remaining to address post-launch issues. It is believed that the company faced financial difficulties leading up to the launch, despite hopes for securing future deals and implementing cost-saving measures.
The furlough situation has emerged amidst legal disputes between Bit Reactor's former COO, Alison Kelly, and Foertsch. Kelly, a co-founder, alleges she was unlawfully removed from the company without compensation for her equity. Foertsch has denied these claims and filed a countersuit, with a trial scheduled for early 2027. The origin of Star Wars Zero Company itself is part of this legal narrative, with Kelly reportedly securing the project by pitching it to the late Respawn and EA executive Vince Zampella. The project was initially considered as a Titanfall spinoff before being shifted to the Star Wars license.
It remains uncertain whether the commercial success of Star Wars Zero Company will be sufficient to reinstate the furloughed staff. Bit Reactor has not commented on the performance metrics required to bring employees back to work. IGN's review of Star Wars Zero Company praised it as an "excellent tactical game that does a fantastic job of slathering on the same cinematic look and feel we saw in Respawn's Star Wars Jedi games," awarding it a 9/10 and noting its strong characters and a story focused on non-Force users.