Star Wars Zero Company developer Bit Reactor brings back 'over half' of furloughed staff

Bit Reactor, the studio behind the upcoming tactical Star Wars title Zero Company, has begun reinstating a significant portion of its workforce after placing over 80 percent of employees on furlough ahead of the game’s release. The company confirmed the move in a statement from CEO Greg Foertsch, who described the return of staff as a critical step toward supporting Zero Company’s development. The announcement follows earlier reporting by Game File, which cited sources estimating that more than half of the previously furloughed employees would be brought back. The studio has not disclosed the exact number of returning workers or whether additional staff will be recalled in the coming weeks.

The decision to reinstate employees comes after Bit Reactor drastically reduced its workforce to a skeleton crew, leaving only essential personnel to continue operations. Foertsch’s statement emphasized the studio’s commitment to Zero Company, though it did not address whether recalled staff would receive retroactive compensation or profit-sharing tied to the game’s launch. The company has not provided further details on the timeline for additional returns or the criteria used to determine which employees were prioritized for reinstatement.

Furloughs operate in a regulatory grey area under U.S. Department of Labor guidelines, which do not mandate public disclosure of specific numbers unless workers are formally laid off. Neither Bit Reactor’s statement nor Game File’s reporting clarified whether the recalled employees—or those still furloughed—would receive financial benefits related to Zero Company’s performance. Concerns about unpaid labor and profit-sharing have been raised by industry observers, including former employees, though no official responses have been issued by the studio.

The reinstatement process marks a shift from the studio’s earlier workforce reductions, which were implemented to manage costs ahead of Zero Company’s launch. While the return of over half of the furloughed staff signals a partial recovery, many employees remain suspended without pay. The studio has not indicated whether further recalls are planned or if additional financial arrangements will be made for affected workers as the game approaches release.