Respawn Entertainment and Bit Reactor team up for Star Wars: Zero Company, a turn-based tactical game launching in 2026. Set during the Clone Wars, players control a customizable squad in a gritty new storyline filled with covert missions and strategic combat.
During Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025, Star Wars: Zero Company was officially unveiled, marking a bold new direction for the franchise in gaming. Developed by Bit Reactor in collaboration with Respawn Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games, this single-player, turn-based tactics title will launch in 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Set during the twilight of the Clone Wars, Star Wars: Zero Company introduces players to an original storyline featuring Hawks, a former Republic officer who now leads a squad of unconventional operatives known as Zero Company. This group of professionals for hire is tasked with carrying out high-risk, covert operations behind enemy lines. Though united under a common goal, internal tensions within the team add a layer of complexity to the narrative.
Players will guide Hawks and his squad through a campaign blending tactical operations, character development, and strategic planning. Gameplay footage revealed in the trailer showcases classic turn-based combat mechanics reminiscent of the XCOM series, with characters taking cover, using unique abilities like Force pushes and grenades, and coordinating sniper shots from elevated positions. Humorous touches, such as a Clone Trooper’s less-than-perfect aim, also add flavor to the game’s otherwise gritty tone.
Customization is a key component of Zero Company. Players can modify Hawks’ appearance and combat class, as well as recruit and personalize operatives drawn from a range of Star Wars species and archetypes. These include astromech droids, Clone Troopers, Jedi, Mandalorians, and other specialized units. Each member of Zero Company is an “authored character” with whom players can build relationships, unlocking powerful combat synergies that impact gameplay.
In addition to turn-based missions, players will also manage a base of operations. Here, intelligence gathering and informant networks play crucial roles in mission planning, allowing players to outmaneuver opponents with strategic foresight. Bit Reactor emphasizes that meaningful player choices will affect the story’s outcome, creating a dynamic experience that evolves based on decision-making.
Creative Director Greg Foertsch describes the game as a fusion of immersive Star Wars storytelling and deep tactical gameplay. The goal is to craft a cinematic yet approachable experience that honors the Clone Wars era while offering something fresh for strategy game enthusiasts.
With Zero Company, EA, Respawn, and Bit Reactor aim to expand the Star Wars gaming universe beyond traditional action-adventure titles. As one of several Star Wars projects currently in development—including Star Wars: Eclipse and the next Jedi installment—Star Wars: Zero Company is shaping up to be a must-watch title for fans of strategy, sci-fi, and storytelling alike.
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