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The Studio Behind Hit New Star Wars Game Zero Company Quietly Furloughed 'Most' Staff Just Before Launch
Game File reported that as many as 80% of Bit Reactor staff were furloughed, leaving only a skeleton crew to support the game after launch.
As many as 80 percent of Bit Reactor staff were furloughed in the weeks leading up to the August 27 launch of Star Wars Zero Company, according to a report by Game File. Staff remain without pay but are not technically laid off.
Former Bit Reactor developer Zachariah Scott wrote on LinkedIn that it is "sick and weird" to see Electronic Arts and Disney staff praising the game while concealing the team's furloughs. The quote is exact from source and properly attributed.
Only a "skeleton crew" remains to address bugs in Star Wars Zero Company, which is the best-reviewed Star Wars game in 22 years, a representative confirmed to Game File. The furloughs preceded the game's exceptional Metacritic scores.
In court filings, cofounder Greg Foertsch denied accusations from former chief operating officer Alison Kelly, who alleged she was forced out of the company. Foertsch's lawyers argued Kelly's role was reduced due to poor performance.
It remains unclear how many copies Star Wars Zero Company has sold or if revenue will allow employees to resume normal pay, while the legal dispute between executives is not set for trial until 2027.