The triumphant roar of lightsabers and the satisfying crunch of blaster fire in Star Wars: The Old Republic – Zero Company are now juxtaposed with a somber reality. While the tactical RPG, currently a Steam bestseller, is basking in critical acclaim and commercial success, the studio behind it, Bit Reactor, has reportedly furloughed up to 80% of its staff in the lead-up to the game’s launch. This revelation paints a stark picture of the challenges facing even seemingly successful studios within the gaming industry.
A Shadow Over Success
According to reports from Game File, a representative from Bit Reactor confirmed the furloughs, though they declined to specify the exact number of employees affected. The reason cited for this drastic measure was “uncertainty around the game’s launch performance.” While the studio maintains that this decision was independent of EA or Disney, the timing is undeniably troubling.
Former Employee Speaks Out
The situation has drawn criticism from within the industry. Zachariah Scott, a former Bit Reactor employee who was previously let go by the studio, voiced his concerns on social media. He highlighted the disconnect between the celebratory rhetoric surrounding Star Wars: The Old Republic – Zero Company’s success and the reality faced by the development team. “It is sick and weird to have all of these EA and Disney folks as well as Bit Reactor Senior staff making all of these 10/10 posts about Star Wars Zero Company being such a huge success and praising the work of the team while seemingly concealing the fact that the team was furloughed weeks ago,” Scott wrote.
He further elaborated, “It is a gross but all too common sight to see, another corporate game hitting the top of Steam while the team is left looking for work and cut off from any possible profit sharing. It would be such a different story if they had been upfront about it earlier, and now it feels like they’re trying to keep the team in a holding pattern with good vibes and more empty promises.”
A Critical Hit, But at What Cost?
Star Wars: The Old Republic – Zero Company was released on August 28th to widespread critical acclaim. Reviewer Ted Litchfield lauded it as “a new and a stunning debut for Bit Reactor.” While the game is currently available on Steam, it’s also accessible on PS5 and Xbox consoles. This situation raises serious questions about the sustainability of current industry practices and the treatment of developers even when their projects achieve significant success.
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