EA and Lucasfilm unveiled a sneak peek at Star Wars Zero Company, a new single-player strategy game set in the Star Wars universe, during Star Wars Celebration in Japan. Originally announced in 2022, the game is part of a trio of new Star Wars titles in development or co-development by Respawn Entertainment, known for Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor. The other two titles include a new first-person shooter and another installment in the Jedi series. While an exact release date has not been set, Star Wars Zero Company is slated to launch on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5 in 2026.
According to a press release that accompanied the announcement trailer, players will assume the role of Hawks, a former Republic officer, leading a team of skilled operatives through a compelling narrative set during the waning days of the Clone Wars.
The concept for Star Wars Zero Company emerged from a collaboration between Respawn Entertainment and a new studio called Bit Reactor. Drawing clear inspiration from XCOM: Enemy Unknown and other Firaxis strategy games, the game’s development team includes former Firaxis employees. Greg Foertsch, the founder and creative director of Bit Reactor, previously served as a senior art director on XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM 2.
In a statement, Foertsch outlined the game’s design principles, emphasizing a seamless integration of the Star Wars universe with engaging turn-based tactical gameplay. The goal is to deliver an original Star Wars story set in the Clone Wars era, offering meaningful player choices and deep tactical combat, all presented in an approachable and cinematic manner.
Balancing the broad appeal of Star Wars with the specific demands of strategy and tactics enthusiasts has always been a key focus for Zero Company. In a 2024 interview with PC Gamer, Foertsch and lead animator Hector Antunez (another XCOM veteran) expressed their desire to blend Respawn’s cinematic storytelling with a rich strategy experience. «I don’t think that complexity equals depth,» Foertsch remarked, underscoring the team’s commitment to crafting a nuanced and engaging gameplay experience.
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