Bit Reactor furloughed the majority of its staff just before the game launched, according to reports.
Star Wars: Zero Company, which has been critically praised and is currently a bestseller on Steam, arrived to strong reviews on August 27; however, the game also brings troubling news behind the scenes.
The Maryland studio that developed the tactical Star Wars title had furloughed a large portion of its workforce just weeks before release. For fans of the game, the timing is striking. During a time when the studio should have been celebrating its upcoming release, it was hit with devastating news as the developers responsible for making it were without pay.
According to Game File , a Bit Reactor representative confirmed that the studio has furloughed many of its workers prior to the game's release. According to the rep, "it was a difficult decision and one that had been made before it was clear how launch would go."
Bit Reactor didn't disclose exactly how many workers were affected, but one source told Game File that the figure was about 80% of the team. Another described only a skeleton crew remaining on payroll to handle post-launch issues.
The studio formed in 2021 and has run out of most of its money just ahead of the launch. While it seemed like the best decision by the company at the time, from a player's perspective, Zero Company has plenty going for it.
The game launched for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series consoles, and it received stellar reviews and became the top-selling game. Critics were particularly enthusiastic about its tactical combat, which makes the situation at Bit Reactor even more surprising.
But it's not just frustrations and worry over money. A legal dispute between co-founders Alison Kelly and Greg Foertsch has also brought additional scrutiny.
According to Game File, which reviewed court filings, Kelly's lawsuit involves a dispute over ownership of the company, and the case is currently scheduled for trial in 2027.
But what does this mean for the studio? According to the rep, only a small team is handling post-launch needs while furloughed developers wait to learn whether they'll return.
From the success of the game, it seems as though the clear answer would be that these developers will come back with pay. However, nothing is confirmed.
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