Bit Reactor brings back more furloughed staff after Star Wars Zero Company
Bit Reactor has started bringing back some furloughed staff after Star Wars Zero Company, with payroll headcount now above half.
- CEO Greg Foertsch told Game File the studio has begun the process of “more of our team back to work.”
- According to Game File sources, payroll headcount is now above half of its pre-furlough level, though Bit Reactor has not officially confirmed that figure.
What happened
Bit Reactor, the studio behind Star Wars Zero Company, has confirmed that it is bringing back some of the employees it previously furloughed. Greg Foertsch told Game File that the studio had “started the process of returning more of our team back to work,” making it clear that the return of staff was already underway.
GameSpot previously reported that Bit Reactor had furloughed a large portion of its team after the release of Star Wars Zero Company. That report also said a small core group of employees continued working on updates for the game while the rest were temporarily out of work.
The exact scale of the return has not been disclosed. Game File reported, based on sources, that payroll headcount is now more than half of the pre-furlough level, but Bit Reactor has not confirmed that number itself.
Timeline
Late August 2026: Star Wars Zero Company launches.
September 2026: reports say a large portion of Bit Reactor staff is furloughed.
September 2026: GameSpot reports that a small group of employees continues working on updates for Star Wars Zero Company.
October 7, 2026: GameSpot reports that some furloughed employees are returning.
October 7, 2026: Greg Foertsch tells Game File the studio has started bringing more team members back.
October 7, 2026: Game File sources say payroll headcount is now above half of the pre-furlough level.
Background
Bit Reactor developed Star Wars Zero Company, a tactical Star Wars game that launched in late August 2026. Soon after release, the studio made headlines for furloughs, with a large part of the team temporarily taken off work.
According to earlier reporting, Foertsch said the furloughs followed unexpected business developments outside the studio’s control. The available sources do not specify those developments, and Bit Reactor has not shared a full schedule or final headcount figures for bringing staff back.
There is also an ongoing civil case involving Gregory Foertsch and Alison Kelly, listed as Kelly v. Foertsch, 1:24-cv-02161. Court documents show claims including breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract, but the staff return update does not include any new ruling in that case.
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Sources
- GameSpot: “Star Wars Zero Company developer sees portion of furloughed workers return”
- Eurogamer: “Star Wars Zero Company bringing back furloughed staff”
- Game File: reporting on returning Bit Reactor employees and payroll headcount
- CourtListener / court documents: Kelly v. Foertsch, 1:24-cv-02161