Bit Reactor, the studio behind the critically praised Star Wars Zero Company, has begun recalling some of the employees it furloughed shortly before the game's release. CEO Greg Foertsch confirmed the development, stating that the move is an important step toward the studio's "continued support for Zero Company."
Foertsch explained in a public post on October 7 that the decision to furlough an estimated 80% of the staff was made to "help us eventually bring as many people back as possible." He acknowledged the difficulty of asking team members to step away due to "unexpected business developments outside of our control" so close to launch. Foertsch expressed pride in the team's accomplishments and gratitude for the fans' reception of the game.
Sources familiar with the situation have indicated to GameFile that Bit Reactor's current payroll represents more than half of its pre-furlough staff count, suggesting a significant portion of employees remain furloughed and unpaid. This follows a pattern in the game development industry where studios sometimes place staff on leave before or after a major release.
Star Wars Zero Company launched in August 2026 to positive reviews, earning a nine out of 10 from IGN. Reviewers lauded it as an excellent tactical game that successfully captured the cinematic feel of the Star Wars Jedi series, with praise for its characters and a story focused on non-Force users. Despite this success, many staff members were placed on leave without pay just prior to the game's launch.
Recent reporting also uncovered that Star Wars Zero Company was originally pitched as a title within the Titanfall universe, with potential connections to Apex Legends, though this concept ultimately did not move forward.