Bit Reactor furloughed "many of its workers" in the weeks before Star Wars Zero Company's launch

Bit Reactor, the developer behind Star Wars Zero Company, had to furlough a significant portion of its workforce in the lead-up to the game's launch. A Bit Reactor spokesperson stated that this was a "difficult decision" made before the launch outcome became clear, and it was not influenced by publisher Electronic Arts or the Star Wars license holder, Disney.

According to sources, around 80% of the company's staff were let go, leaving only a small team to tackle any post-launch bugs for Zero Company. The studio had reportedly run out of funds just before the game's release, leading to the furloughs. Former senior technical artist Zachariah Scott alleged on LinkedIn that the studio had been concealing the furloughs for weeks.

He also noted that budgets were tight during his time at the company, and studio founder Greg Foertsch often expressed hopes for a new game deal to keep the studio afloat. Developers reportedly requested more lightsaber animations but were denied due to budget constraints. Scott described the project as developed under "shocking austerity."

Bit Reactor has expressed hope of rehiring the furloughed workers following a successful launch, though Scott stated that staff were less confident that all furloughed employees would return to their previous positions. These furloughs were also mentioned in a 2024 lawsuit filed by former chief operating officer Alison Kelly, who accused Foertsch of terminating her and is seeking over $20 million in damages.