Major Layoffs Hit Studio Behind Top-Rated Star Wars Game in Two Decades

Star Wars Zero Company marks the first release from Bit Reactor, and it’s already making waves as the highest-rated Star Wars game in over two decades. However, it’s come to light that many developers involved in the project were reportedly furloughed just weeks before its launch. Former Bit Reactor developer Zachariah Scott expressed his concerns on LinkedIn, highlighting the irony of industry figures celebrating the game’s success while overlooking the fact that many team members were left without pay.

A recent report indicates that up to 80 percent of Bit Reactor’s workforce was furloughed in the lead-up to the game’s August 27 release. This situation has left only a minimal team available to tackle any post-launch issues, with a studio representative confirming the furloughs but not disclosing the exact number of affected employees.

These decisions were made before the game received outstanding early reviews, achieving the highest Metacritic score for a Star Wars title at launch since Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – Sith Lords in 2004. It remains uncertain how many copies the game, developed in collaboration with Respawn Entertainment, has sold since its debut or what sales figures are necessary to resume employee payments and potentially offer bonuses for their hard work during challenging circumstances.

The furlough situation is also part of an ongoing lawsuit involving Bit Reactor’s former chief operating officer, Alison Kelly, who claims she was forced out by cofounder Greg Foertsch and denied an equal ownership stake. Foertsch has denied these allegations, with his legal team asserting that Kelly’s position was diminished due to unsatisfactory performance. One of the counter-filings states, “Plaintiff’s allegations that Foertsch denied her access to books, awarded himself financial benefits, and wrongly terminated her employment are groundless.”

The legal battle is not expected to reach trial until 2027, leaving uncertainty about the future of Bit Reactor, the potential for employee payments, and whether this turmoil will deter the new owners from approving a sequel to Zero Company.