Bit Reactor cuts staff following the release of Star Wars Zero Company

Bit Reactor has laid off an unspecified number of employees just months after releasing its tactics game, Star Wars: Zero Company. Team members announced their departures on LinkedIn on Friday, 6th November, following reporting from the outlet Bespin Bulletin. The layoffs affect multiple departments, including senior environment artist Ryan Lopez, user-interface engineer Tyler Eichten, and Ryan Mosher from the quality-assurance team. [1][2]

The job cuts follow months of turbulence at the studio. Bit Reactor placed an estimated 80 percent of its staff on furlough in the weeks leading up to the game's launch on 27th August, with reports indicating the developer had run short of funds. Former senior technical artist Zachariah Scott said the title was developed under "shocking austerity" and accused leadership of concealing the furloughs. [1][2]

Although Zero Company reached one million sales within its first month, commercial success was not enough to stabilize the team. Chief executive Greg Foertsch announced on 7th October that the studio had begun recalling workers following "unexpected business developments", but not all returning staff were placed on full pay, and the latest layoffs confirm that several furloughed developers will not be returning. [1][2]