‘Most’ of Star Wars Zero Company Studio Bit Reactor Was Furloughed Ahead of Launch

The Maryland-based game studio Bit Reactor, developer of the recently released title Star Wars Zero Company, has implemented significant staff furloughs despite the game’s commercial success and positive critical reception. Although the studio’s debut project currently ranks as a top-selling title on Steam, internal financial instability forced the company to place a substantial portion of its workforce on unpaid leave just weeks before the game’s late August 2026 launch.

Legal filings from an ongoing 2024 lawsuit between studio co-founders Greg Foertsch and Alison Kelly indicate that the scale of these personnel reductions is extensive. While the studio has not officially disclosed the exact number of affected employees, reports suggest that approximately 80% of the team was furloughed, leaving only a skeleton crew to manage post-launch technical support. The studio maintains that the decision was made independently of its publisher, Electronic Arts, and the intellectual property holder, Disney, citing a depletion of capital prior to the game's release.

The situation is further complicated by a high-stakes legal dispute regarding the ownership structure of the studio. Alison Kelly, the former chief operating officer, is currently suing for damages exceeding $20 million, alleging breach of contract and wrongful exclusion from ownership. Conversely, Greg Foertsch disputes her status as a co-owner, citing performance-related issues. With the trial postponed until 2027, the future of the studio’s workforce remains uncertain, as management hopes that the revenue generated from the successful launch of Star Wars Zero Company will eventually allow for the restoration of employee pay and the potential rehiring of staff.