Bit Reactor furloughs 80% of staff ahead of Star Wars Zero Company launch

The developer of the tactical combat title announced that it temporarily suspended employees without pay before the game hit shelves on August 27, 2026. In a statement to Game File, a representative for Bit Reactor described the move as a "difficult decision" made "before it was clear how the launch would go." The studio clarified that this action was not influenced by publisher Electronic Arts or Star Wars license holder Disney.

Sources indicate that approximately 80% of Bit Reactor's staff were affected by the furloughs, leaving a "skeleton crew" to address post-launch bugs and support the game. The decision was reportedly necessitated by the studio running out of most of its funding just ahead of the launch of its first major title. While Star Wars: Zero Company has been positively received by players and critics, the financial pressure on the development team had been mounting for some time.

Former senior technical artist Zachariah Scott claimed on LinkedIn that the studio was "concealing the fact that the team was furloughed weeks ago." Scott told Game File that budgets were "tight" during his tenure and that studio founder Greg Foertsch "often mentioned hoping to secure a new game deal to keep things going." Scott recalled that developers wanted more lightsaber animations but were told there was not enough budget, describing the project as developed with "shocking austerity."

Another former employee, who claims to have been fired after being involuntarily put on medical leave, suggested on LinkedIn that the studio had been "trying to keep the team in a holding pattern with good vibes and more empty promises." This individual alleged that furloughed staff members have been "cut off from any possible profit sharing."

Bit Reactor has stated that it hopes to bring furloughed workers back and restore their pay if Star Wars: Zero Company proves successful. However, Zachariah Scott noted that staff he spoke with were "less confident that even if there were returns, that all who were furloughed would get their old jobs again."

The furloughs were also referenced in a 2024 lawsuit filed by former chief operating officer Alison Kelly, which noted that the studio also "terminated contractors." The filing centers on whether Kelly is a co-owner of Bit Reactor or if Foertsch is the sole owner, with Kelly alleging that Foertsch pushed her out of the company. Kelly referenced a draft operating agreement from April 2021 that proposed splitting the company's shares among Foertsch, Kelly, and early co-founder Tom Whittaker. Whittaker and another co-founder, Steve Meyer, have since left the studio.

Foertsch's legal representatives argued that the draft agreement was never signed, indicating Kelly was not an owner, and claimed she was terminated for poor job performance. Kelly denied these claims and is seeking over $20 million in damages. As of now, Star Wars: Zero Company remains one of the top-selling titles on Steam in terms of revenue, though it is unclear how well the game has performed across all platforms.