Nearly eight out of ten developers who built Star Wars Zero Company were placed on furlough before the game hit Steam.
Furlough Fallout Hits Star Wars Zero Company
The latest report from Stephen Totilo on Game File’s Substack exposes that nearly 80% of the team that worked on the Star Wars title have been removed from payroll, leaving only a skeletal staff to contend with launch‑day bugs and player inquiries.
Despite the game’s strong 79% positive rating on Steam, the bulk of its creators are now sidelined, according to insider sources and a LinkedIn post by former developer Zachariah Scott.
Image Credit: Bit Reactor
Massive Workforce Cuts Ahead of Release
Bit Reactor, the Tokyo‑based studio behind the Star Wars release, cut costs abruptly in the weeks leading up to launch, as confirmed by a representative who reached out to Totilo.
“We took the team off payroll because we ran out of money,” a source told Totilo, citing the studio’s winding finances.
The decision left only a handful of remaining employees to patch post‑launch surprises, in stark contrast to the game’s initial sales success.
Financial Troubles at Bit Reactor Revealed
Records filed in 2024 reference a 2021 EA funding agreement that valued Bit Reactor’s Star Wars project at $50 million, a figure that has never been verified as the final budget.
Whether the original funding fell short or the internal accounting misaligned, the studio now faces a cash crunch that forced the furloughs.
Image Credit: Zachariah Scott / LinkedIn
Legal Disputes Complicate Recovery Efforts
The company’s co‑founders, Alison Kelly and Greg Foertsch, are embroiled in a lawsuit where Kelly seeks more than $20 million in damages, alleging forced removal from ownership.
A separate Dutch lawsuit against Sony is also ongoing, adding further legal complexity.
The trial, originally scheduled for June 2026, has been postponed to 2027, potentially granting Bit Reactor time to regain financial footing.
Industry Impact and Future of the Title
With the flagship studio reeling, stakeholders worry the niche appeal of Star Wars Zero Company may dampen sales and limit revenue data that could fund return of furloughed staff.
Whether Bit Reactor can restore pay and rebuild its workforce remains uncertain as the Studio navigates its legal battles and a market that may not afford a large margin for error.
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