Star Wars: Zero Company – Everything We Know So Far

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A new tactical Star Wars adventure from Bit Reactor and Respawn Entertainment is coming in 2026

Game Overview

Star Wars: Zero Company has officially been revealed during Star Wars Celebration Japan as the newest addition to the Star Wars gaming universe. Developed by Bit Reactor in collaboration with Respawn Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games, this single-player turn-based tactics game promises to deliver a fresh perspective on the beloved franchise.

Setting and Story

The game takes place during what’s described as “the twilight of the Clone Wars,” placing players in command of Hawks, a former Republic officer leading an elite squad of operatives. Hawks and their unconventional team of professionals for hire from across the galaxy must set aside their differences to confront an emerging threat that could consume the galaxy if left unchecked.

This boots-on-the-ground approach offers a unique perspective on the Clone Wars that hasn’t been explored in previous Star Wars media. Rather than focusing on Jedi Masters and politicians seen in The Clone Wars animated series, players will experience the conflict from a more grounded viewpoint.

Gameplay Features

Star Wars: Zero Company is built around tactical turn-based combat similar to games like XCOM. Here’s what we know about the gameplay so far:

• Turn-Based Tactical Combat: As the name suggests, players will engage in strategic, turn-based battles across various locations in the Star Wars universe.
• Base Management: Between missions, players will operate from a base called “The Den” which features:
  • An expansive galaxy map for selecting missions
  • Various management aspects like squad loadout customization
  • Research and acquisition of new weapons and equipment
• Character Customization: The main character, Hawks, can be customized in both appearance and character class.
• Squad Management: Players can swap team members in and out as needed, with each bringing unique abilities based on their class and species.
• Player Choice: The game incorporates “meaningful outcomes from player choices” that can impact character relationships and story developments. For example, repeatedly sending certain squad members on missions together might improve their relationship, potentially affecting their fate in the game.
• Galactic Exploration: Players will travel to various locations across the galaxy, including planets familiar to Star Wars fans like Serolonis from The Bad Batch, Vandor from Solo: A Star Wars Story, and Mapuzo from the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.

Development Team

Bit Reactor is a relatively new studio founded in 2022, but it’s staffed with industry veterans who bring considerable experience to the project:

• The studio includes 15 former developers from Firaxis Games, the team behind the XCOM series
• Team members have worked on major franchises including XCOM, Civilization, Gears of War, and The Elder Scrolls Online
• Greg Foertsch, CEO and Creative Director, previously worked on the XCOM series

Respawn Entertainment, known for the Star Wars Jedi series (Fallen Order and Survivor), is collaborating on the project, bringing their Star Wars experience to the table.

Release Information

• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Release Window: 2026
• Publisher: Electronic Arts

What Makes Turn-Based Tactics Games Different

For those unfamiliar with the genre, here’s how turn-based tactics games like XCOM (and now Star Wars: Zero Company) differ from other popular game types:

• Turn-Based Tactics vs. FPS (First-Person Shooter)

• • FPS: Real-time action from a first-person perspective; relies on quick reflexes and aim
  • Tactics: Deliberate, strategic gameplay where you command multiple units from an overhead perspective; emphasizes planning over reflexes

• Turn-Based Tactics vs. RTS (Real-Time Strategy)

• • RTS: Resource gathering, base building, and unit control happening simultaneously in real-time
  • Tactics: Combat occurs in distinct turns; allows for more deliberate decision-making without time pressure

• Turn-Based Tactics vs. MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online)

• • MMO: Persistent online world shared with many other players; typically features character progression and social elements
  • Tactics: Focused single-player experience with self-contained missions and strategic depth

• Turn-Based Tactics vs. Action-Adventure

• • Action-Adventure: Character-focused gameplay with emphasis on exploration, combat skills, and narrative
  • Tactics: Squad-based strategic gameplay where individual units have specialized roles within a team

The XCOM formula, which Star Wars: Zero Company appears to be following, typically includes:

1. Strategic Layer: Base management, research, squad equipment and composition
2. Tactical Layer: Turn-based combat missions with specialized units
3. Permanent Consequences: Decisions and losses often have lasting impacts
4. Procedural Elements: Randomized mission parameters and maps for replayability

This design creates a uniquely engaging experience where each decision carries weight, and players become invested in both the overarching strategy and the individual stories of their squad members.

Stay tuned for more information as we approach the 2026 release window for Star Wars: Zero Company.