The highly anticipated Star Wars: Zero Company, a turn-based strategy game from Bit Reactor, launched last week to mixed reviews. However, behind the scenes, a different story is unfolding, one of financial instability and employee uncertainty. Reports are surfacing that most of the development team was furloughed just weeks before release, leaving many without pay.
A Dev Team in Crisis
According to a report from Game File, citing sources within Bit Reactor, approximately 80% of the game’s development team was impacted by these unexpected furloughs. While technically still employees of the studio, these individuals are currently not receiving salaries. The timing is particularly troubling, as it occurred so close to the game’s launch.
The report alleges that Bit Reactor experienced a sudden cash flow problem in the lead-up to Zero Company’s release. This forced the company to furlough a significant portion of its staff while a smaller team remained on payroll to address any post-launch issues and maintain servers. A spokesperson for Bit Reactor confirmed the furloughs, stating that the decision was made internally and not mandated by publisher Electronic Arts (EA). The spokesperson also expressed hope that the game’s success could lead to the return of these employees.
Former Employee Speaks Out
Zachariah Scott, a former technical artist who claims to have been terminated from Bit Reactor in May under contentious circumstances, has taken to LinkedIn to accuse the company of “concealing” the furloughs. He told Game File that he’s spoken with several furloughed employees who are skeptical about their chances of returning to their previous roles, even if Bit Reactor manages to bring some staff back.
Legal Battles and Unanswered Questions
The news of these furloughs comes amidst ongoing legal action between Bit Reactor co-founders Greg Foertsch and Alison Kelly. Kelly has filed a lawsuit against Foertsch primarily concerning the ownership of the studio. This legal battle is currently in its early stages, with both sides making accusations and denials. The trial is scheduled for early 2027.
This situation highlights the precarious nature of game development and the potential consequences of financial mismanagement. We extend our solidarity to the affected developers and hope that they will soon receive the compensation they deserve, regardless of whether it comes from Bit Reactor or another studio. The future of Star Wars: Zero Company remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the human cost of this situation is significant.
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