Reports indicate that Bit Reactor, the development studio behind the recently launched Star Wars: Zero Company furloughed a significant portion of its team without pay just weeks before the game's release. This decision reportedly left many staff members in an uncertain state, despite remaining employees of the studio.

By Game File, which cited an unnamed source, approximately 80% of the game's development team was affected by these furloughs. These actions occurred mere weeks prior to Zero Company's official launch. The furloughed individuals are still considered Bit Reactor employees but are not currently receiving salaries.

The Game File report suggests that Bit Reactor faced financial difficulties leading up to the game's release. This alleged cash shortage prompted the furloughs, with a smaller group of developers retained on payroll specifically to address any bugs or issues that might arise following the game's launch.

A spokesperson for Bit Reactor informed Game File that the choice to furlough staff was made solely by Bit Reactor, emphasizing that it was not a directive from EA, the publisher of Zero Company. The spokesperson also expressed the studio's hope to eventually bring the furloughed staff back onto payroll. They indicated that the commercial success of Star Wars: Zero Company could be a determining factor in whether this re-employment becomes a reality.

Further complicating the situation, Zachariah Scott, a former technical artist who claims to have been dismissed by Bit Reactor earlier this year under contentious circumstances, publicly accused the company of "concealing" the furloughs in a LinkedIn post. Scott later told Game File that developers he had spoken with who were impacted by the furloughs were not confident that if Bit Reactor were to rehire staff, everyone would be able to return to their previous roles.

The details surrounding these furloughs have come to light amidst ongoing legal proceedings involving Bit Reactor's co-founders, Greg Foertsch and Alison Kelly. Kelly has filed a lawsuit against Foertsch, primarily disputing ownership of the studio. This legal battle is scheduled to proceed to trial in early 2027, with both parties currently engaged in filing and denying various claims against each other. For players, this situation introduces potential uncertainty regarding the long-term stability of the development team responsible for Star Wars: Zero Company and its future support, depending on the studio's financial health and resolution of its internal disputes.

Key Facts

  • Bit Reactor reportedly furloughed "most" of the Star Wars: Zero Company development team without pay weeks before the game's launch.
  • A source cited by Game File claims 80% of the development team was impacted by the furloughs.
  • A Bit Reactor spokesperson stated the furlough decision was solely the studio's, not publisher EA's, and that the game's success could influence staff returning.
  • The news of the furloughs emerged due to ongoing legal action between Bit Reactor co-founders Greg Foertsch and Alison Kelly concerning studio ownership.