Bit Reactor layoffs follow return of some furloughed staff
The period of instability at Bit Reactor, the studio behind Star Wars: Zero Company, appears to be continuing. After the developer brought back an unspecified number of employees who had been on furlough prior to the game's August launch, new reports suggest that not everyone was able to return to their positions.
According to reports from Bespin Bulletin, several former staff members have taken to LinkedIn to share that they have been laid off. This development follows earlier news from last month when Bit Reactor began reintegrating developers who had been placed on unpaid leave during the final stages of Star Wars: Zero Company's development. While some reports suggested that more than half of the furloughed staff had returned to full-time roles, the recent accounts from former employees indicate that a second wave of departures has occurred.
Among those reporting the layoffs are several key contributors to the project. Michael Blackard, a producer at the studio, and Ryan Mosher, a senior QA analyst, were among the first to share the news. Additionally, environment artist Ryan Lopez, who had been with the studio for over three years—dating back to the game's pre-production phase—confirmed his departure after a three-month furlough.
UI engineer Tyler Eichten also confirmed his departure due to the layoffs, expressing pride in the work accomplished by the UI/UX team and the studio at large. While the specific number of employees affected by these recent cuts remains unconfirmed, Bit Reactor has not yet issued an official statement regarding the layoffs.
The news comes as a setback for a studio that recently saw Star Wars: Zero Company achieve both critical and commercial success. Despite the game's positive reception, the studio continues to face the industry-wide challenges that have led to significant workforce reductions across the sector.
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