Up to 80% of the Team Behind Star Wars’ Best-Reviewed Game in Years was Furloughed Before Launch

Game File reports that as much as 80% of the development staff at Bit Reactor, the studio behind the new tactics game Star Wars Zero Company, was furloughed weeks ago, before the game launched.

Furloughed employees are temporarily suspended from work and receiving reduced or no pay. The move — much used during the COVID-19 pandemic — is typically employed as a last resort when a company runs out of money and can’t make payroll.

Bit Reactor confirmed to Game File that much of the team had been furloughed, and stressed that the decision was taken by the studio alone and had nothing to do with publisher EA or Star Wars license holder Lucasfilm (part of Disney). The studio said it hoped to bring furloughed staff back and restore their pay after a successful launch for Star Wars Zero Company. It appears that Bit Reactor simply ran out of money before it could start earning revenue from the game.

Bit Reactor is an independent studio formed by developers from Firaxis Games, maker of the XCOM series. It was working with EA’s Respawn Entertainment, of Star Wars Jedi and Apex Legends fame, on Star Wars Zero Company.

A lawsuit between Bit Reactor’s co-founders exposed the studio’s financial woes

A lawsuit uncovered by Game File noted on Aug. 12 that “most” of Bit Reactor’s employees were furloughed and contractors had been terminated. Sources said that 80% of the team was impacted and only a skeleton crew remained to support the game at launch.

The lawsuit is an acrimonious dispute between Bit Reactor’s co-founders Alison Kelly, the studio’s former chief operating officer, and Greg Foertsch, the creative director of the game. Kelly claims to be a co-owner of the studio, while Foertsch says he is the sole owner. Kelly says she was pushed out and is suing for $20 million in damages.

It’s a tumultuous and sad time for the team which made Zero Company, which was met with a warm critical reception on its release last week. Zero Company is one of the best-reviewed Star Wars games in years.