// KOTAKU — GAMING
Star Wars Zero Company Studio Tries To Bring Back As Many Furloughed Devs ‘As Possible’ Following ‘Unexpected Business Developments Outside Of Our Control’
Star Wars Zero Company is an excellent XCOM-like and an even better Star Wars game. But a bunch of its developers were furloughed just prior to the game’s launch. The Maryland-based studio behind the game, Bit Reactor, says some of those developers have started returning to work now that the game’s a success.
“Having to ask team members to step away after we navigated unexpected business developments outside of our control and so close to launch was an incredibly difficult decision, but one that was necessary to help us eventually bring as many people back as possible,” the studio wrote in a statement.
It continued, “This team means a tremendous amount to me, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. Thank you to our fans for the incredible response to the game and for supporting us along this journey. We look forward to sharing more updates regarding Bit Reactor and Zero Company soon.”
We’re incredibly grateful for your support since the launch of STAR WARS Zero Company. Here’s a message from our CEO: pic.twitter.com/TtcsQbtfgv
Game File reports that the studio’s headcount is back to over half of what it was in the lead-up to launch, meaning that quite a few developers have returned to full-time work, but also many still haven’t. Data firm Alinea Analytics estimated that Star Wars Zero Company, produced in collaboration with Respawn Entertainment and Electronic Arts, has already sold over 1 million copies.
It’s not entirely clear which “unexpected business developments” Bit Reactor is referring to in its latest statement, though the studio and its cofounder, Greg Foertsch, are currently embroiled in a legal dispute with former chief finance officer Alison Kelly. While that lawsuit is still pending, and won’t be resolved until it potentially goes to trial sometime in 2027, fans of Star Wars Zero Company will be eager to know if they can plan on a DLC expansion for the strategy game or even, eventually, a sequel.
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