Bit Reactor, the studio behind the tactical role-playing game Star Wars Zero Company, furloughed most of its staff weeks before the game’s release. The matter came to light amid a legal dispute between the company’s founders.
Star Wars Zero Company was released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on August 27, 2026, and received mostly positive reviews from threats and players. The game also quickly rose to the top of Steam’s best-selling items list.
However, prior to launch, a large portion of the Bit Reactor team was effectively unemployed and unpaid. A studio representative confirmed to reporters game filesbefore the project was launched, the decision was made to furlough a large number of employees. According to him, the decision was difficult and was made even before it was clear how successful the launch would be.
At the same time, Bit Reactor stressed that the decision came directly from the studio, not from publisher Electronic Arts or “Star Wars” rights holder Disney.
The studio did not disclose the exact number of employees affected. However, court case information between Bit Reactor’s co-founders said the company “furloughed most of its employees and terminated contracts with contractors.” A source at Game File said about 80% of the team was furloughed. According to other sources, only a small crew remains, which should resolve any issues that may arise after Star Wars Zero Corporation launches.
The decision was presumably made because Bit Reactor had nearly exhausted its financial resources by the time the first game was released. A studio spokesman said the company expects to reinstate the salaries of furloughed employees if the successful launch of “Zero Company” allows that to happen.
Meanwhile, developers themselves are less optimistic. Former Bit Reactor senior technical artist Zachariah Scott, who left the studio in May amid the scandal, said employees he interviewed received mandatory separation notices about three weeks before launch. They are also unsure whether they will be able to return to their previous positions.
The situation is further complicated by the legal conflict between Bit Reactor co-founders Alison Kelly and Greg Furch. Kelly, who served as the studio’s chief operating officer until 2024, filed the lawsuit in July of that year, claiming Fulci effectively forced her out of the company. She claims to be a co-owner of Bit Reactor, while Furch insists that he is the sole owner of the studio.
Kelly is seeking more than $20 million in damages, based in part on Bit Reactor’s valuation. Folci’s representatives denied her claims and in turn raised accusations about the quality of her work, which Kelly denies.
The case was originally scheduled to be heard in June 2026, but the trial has been postponed to early 2027. The reason for the delay is the questioning of new witnesses, new accusations and denials.
Therefore, the successful launch of the studio’s first project is an extremely important moment for Bit Reactor itself. While the game has received critical acclaim and is in high demand on Steam, most of the team behind it is still on leave, awaiting a decision about its future.
