Star Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor has begun re-hiring members of its team that the studio furloughed in the run-up to the game’s launch, with CEO Greg Foertsch confirming that payroll numbers have already climbed back above “more than half” of the headcount that existed before the layoffs. The rehiring effort, which Foertsch says he hopes will ultimately restore as many positions as possible, follows a wave of job cuts that sent much of the studio’s workforce home just as the title hit shelves and sparked both community concern and legal scrutiny.
The announcement arrived this week through an official message posted to Bit Reactor’s social channels, in which Foertsch framed the original furloughs as a painful but unavoidable response to circumstances beyond the company’s control. According to reporting by Game File, whose initial coverage of the layoffs claimed that “most” staff had been affected and that only a small number of developers remained on payroll to address immediate post-launch bugs, Bit Reactor now reports its payrolled headcount has rebounded past the halfway mark — though several former employees remain in what amounts to a payless limbo.
A Difficult Decision Reversed
In his statement, Foertsch did not disclose exact figures for either the number of staff furloughed or those who have since returned. Instead, he emphasized the emotional weight of having let team members go so close to a milestone the studio had worked toward.
“Having to ask team members to step away after we navigated unexpected business developments outside of our control and so close to launch was an incredibly difficult decision, but one that was necessary to help us eventually bring as many people back as possible.”
Greg Foertsch, CEO of Bit Reactor
Foertsch continued by expressing pride in the work his team accomplished and gratitude toward fans for their response to Star Wars Zero Company. “This team means a tremendous amount to me, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. Thank you to our fans for the incredible response to the game and for supporting us along this journey,” he wrote, adding that Bit Reactor intends to share further updates about both the studio and its Zero Company project soon.
The Furloughs Came Into Focus Amid an Ongoing Lawsuit
While no concrete numbers regarding affected staff have been published, the very existence of the furloughs became public knowledge through a separate legal battle. Foertsch is currently embroiled in a lawsuit with Bit Reactor’s former chief operating officer, Alison Kelly, who has accused him of pushing her out of the company. The litigation centers on whether Kelly held co-owner status at the studio, and the case is currently expected to proceed to trial sometime next year.
The timing of Foertsch’s rehiring announcement — delivered alongside a social media post dated October 7, 2026 that shared his message directly with followers — suggests the studio is moving quickly to stabilize its workforce after months of uncertainty. Community reaction has been largely supportive of the news while remaining pointed toward those employees who have not yet been recalled.
Looking Ahead
Even as payroll numbers recover, a portion of Bit Reactor’s former staff remain without work, leaving the studio’s commitment to eventually rehire “as many people as possible” still partially unfulfilled. Fans and industry observers alike are watching closely to see whether Foertsch follows through on that promise or whether displaced developers end up finding opportunities elsewhere.
Bit Reactor has signaled that more details about both the studio’s operations and its Zero Company project are forthcoming, with additional updates expected in the coming weeks. Until then, the partial return of furloughed developers stands as an early signal that the studio is attempting to rebuild after a turbulent launch period shaped by unforeseen business challenges and internal legal disputes.
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