Bit Reactor furloughs majority of staff despite Star Wars Zero Company's critical and commercial success

Key points

• Bit Reactor furloughed roughly 80% of its workforce in the weeks leading up to the August 27, 2026, release of Star Wars Zero Company.
• The studio stated the decision was driven by a lack of funds and was not influenced by publisher EA or IP holder Disney.
• Star Wars Zero Company has achieved critical success and is currently a top seller on Steam, despite the staff reductions.
• A 2024 lawsuit by co-founder Alison Kelly alleges she was pushed out and seeks over $20 million in damages, with the trial postponed to early 2027.
• Former employees claim the studio concealed the furloughs and cut off profit-sharing for affected staff.

Background

Bit Reactor, founded in 2021, developed Star Wars Zero Company, a turn-based tactics game set in the Clone Wars era. The game launched on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on August 27, 2026, and has been praised for its tactical depth and integration of Star Wars lore. The studio has faced internal disputes since 2024, including a lawsuit by former COO Alison Kelly regarding ownership rights.

How outlets are covering it

Eurogamer and Wccftech report that approximately 80% of Bit Reactor's staff were furloughed, with only a skeleton crew remaining to address post-launch bugs. Game Developer notes that the studio cited concerns over launch performance as the reason for the furloughs, while a former employee alleged the studio concealed the move and cut off profit-sharing. All sources agree that the furloughs were not caused by EA or Disney. Eurogamer and Wccftech highlight the contrast between the game's commercial success and the studio's financial struggles, while Game Developer emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding the reinstatement of furloughed workers.

Why it matters

The furloughs highlight the financial risks faced by indie studios, even when their games achieve critical and commercial success. The ongoing lawsuit adds to the uncertainty surrounding Bit Reactor's future and the potential return of furloughed staff.

What to watch

Bit Reactor hopes to reinstate furloughed staff and restore their pay if Star Wars Zero Company continues to perform well commercially. The ownership lawsuit is set for trial in early 2027, which may further impact the studio's operations and the fate of its employees.