Studio behind Star Wars Zero Company furloughed up to 80% of its staff

Game File reported that Bit Reactor furloughed up to 80 percent of its staff in the lead up to the launch of Star Wars Zero Company.

According to the report, affected employees remain technically employed but will receive no wages during the furlough period. A Bit Reactor representative confirmed the furloughs and said uncertainty around the game's launch performance was the reason for the decision, adding the move was taken by Bit Reactor and not by EA or Disney.

Bit Reactor, the representative said, hopes furloughed staff will be brought back on full pay. The move stands in contrast to the game's early commercial visibility, with Star Wars Zero Company listed as a Steam bestseller.

Former Bit Reactor staffer Zachariah Scott, who was let go earlier this year, addressed the furloughs on LinkedIn and criticised public praise for the game's success while the team was reportedly placed on leave. "It is sick and weird to have all of these EA and Disney folks as well as Bitreactor Senior staff making all of these 10/10 posts about Star Wars Zero Company being such a huge success and praising the work of the team while seemingly concealing the fact that the team was furloughed weeks ago," Scott wrote. He added, "It is a gross but all too common sight to see, another corporate game hitting the top of Steam while the team is left looking for work and cut off from any possible profit sharing."