David Bridges
EA and Lucasfilm have unveiled an exciting first look at Star Wars Zero Company, an innovative single-player strategy game set within the expansive Star Wars universe, during the Star Wars Celebration event in Japan. Initially announced in 2022, this game is part of a trio of new Star Wars titles being developed or co-developed by Respawn Entertainment, the acclaimed studio known for delivering Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor. In addition to this new strategic adventure, fans can anticipate a thrilling first-person shooter and another installment in the Jedi series. While a precise release date is yet to be confirmed, Star Wars Zero Company is slated for launch on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 in 2026.
In Star Wars Zero Company, players will immerse themselves in the role of Hawks, a former Republic officer. The game invites players to command an elite squad of shrewd operatives through a compelling and gritty narrative that unfolds during the tumultuous twilight of the Clone Wars. This captivating experience promises to combine rich storytelling with dynamic gameplay, drawing players deeper into the world of Star Wars. A press release accompanying the announcement trailer highlighted this unique perspective, emphasizing the strategic and tactical elements that will engage fans of the franchise.
Star Wars Zero Company emerges from a collaborative effort between Respawn Entertainment and a new studio known as Bit Reactor. The game’s design and inspiration are heavily influenced by XCOM: Enemy Unknown and other acclaimed strategy titles by Firaxis, which is no coincidence given that Bit Reactor’s team includes several former employees from Firaxis. Notably, Greg Foertsch, the founder and creative director of Bit Reactor, previously served as a senior art director on XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM 2, bringing valuable experience to this new endeavor.
According to Foertsch, “Our vision for Star Wars Zero Company is grounded in gameplay design pillars that seamlessly integrate the immersive Star Wars galaxy with engaging turn-based tactics gameplay.” He further expressed the goal of crafting an original Star Wars narrative set within the Clone Wars era that features significant outcomes based on player choices. The game will also showcase deep turn-based tactical combat, all wrapped in an approachable and visually cinematic presentation that enhances the overall player experience.
Striking a balance between the broad appeal of the Star Wars franchise and the specific expectations of strategy and tactics enthusiasts has always been a priority for Zero Company. In a revealing interview with PC Gamer in 2024, Foertsch and Hector Antunez, the lead animator at Bit Reactor and another veteran from the XCOM series, articulated their desire for the Star Wars game to embody the cinematic storytelling that fans have come to appreciate from Respawn’s titles, while ensuring that the strategic gameplay remains satisfying. “I don’t believe that complexity equals depth,” Foertsch remarked, underscoring their focus on differentiating the nuances between these two concepts.
Daniel Mercer
Brandon Fletcher
