“Star Wars: XCOM Collaboration Set for Release with a Special Skywalker Appearance”

Star Wars Zero Company, often referred to as “that XCOM Star Wars game,” has finally locked in its release date. The game is set to launch on August 27 for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, confirming earlier leaks.

And yes, Anakin Skywalker makes an appearance—why not?

First revealed in April 2025, Star Wars Zero Company marks the debut of Bit Reactor, a studio formed by developers with experience in franchises like Civilization and XCOM. This background is evident in Zero Company, which features familiar mechanics from XCOM: a turn-based tactical shooter where players return to a high-tech hub between missions to combat an alien threat. Like its predecessor, Zero Company includes permadeath, meaning if a squad member falls in battle, they’re gone for good, and the story continues without them.

Set during the Clone Wars, players take on the role of Tesh Hawks, an ex-Galactic Republic officer leading a ragtag team known as Zero Company. This crew is distinct enough from typical Star Wars characters to have their own personalities and dialogue. Hired by the Republic, they are tasked with tracking down a dangerous Separatist splinter group. The Summer Game Fest trailer showcased more of Hawks’ team, including a Mandalorian and a Jedi Padawan, alongside glimpses of tactical combat and character customization menus. The trailer concludes with a “General Skywalker” igniting a blue lightsaber, hinting that the game takes place before the events of Revenge of the Sith.

According to the announcement, Zero Company will feature over 150 planets from the Star Wars universe. In addition to the main crew, players can customize recruitable characters, referred to as “operators,” choosing from seven different Star Wars races: Devaronian, Neimoidian, Ovissian, Togruta, Twi’lek, Weequay, and Zabrak. These operators will have names fitting the Star Wars theme, such as Roggar Ven, which was highlighted in the trailer.

Star Wars Zero Company will be available on August 27 for $49.99 on Windows PC and $59.99 on PS5 and Xbox Series X.

It begins.