At Star Wars Celebration in Japan on Saturday, Electronic Arts (EA) and Bit Reactor, in collaboration with Respawn Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games, have officially announced the Star Wars: Zero Company, a single-player, turn-based tactics game scheduled to launch in 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The reveal, accompanied by a cinematic trailer and brief gameplay footage, introduced fans to a gritty, strategic adventure set in the waning days of the Clone Wars, promising a fresh perspective on the iconic galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars: Zero Company lets players take on the role of Hawks, a customizable former Republic officer leading an elite squad of operatives known as Zero Company. This ragtag team, operating in the shadows of the galaxy-spanning Clone Wars, includes a diverse roster of original characters: astromech droids, clone troopers, a Jedi padawan named Telia Tria, an Umbaran sharpshooter named Lucco Bronk, a clone trooper called Trick, and a Mandalorian named Klive, among others. The trailer teased additional recruits, such as a smuggler and a character in a gas-filled helmet, hinting at a wide range of classes and species.
The game’s narrative focuses on covert missions against an emerging threat that could destabilize the galaxy. Unlike the grand battles of Jedi and Separatists seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Zero Company explores the underbelly of the conflict, offering a boots-on-the-ground perspective. Bit Reactor CEO Greg Foertsch emphasized the game’s “gritty and authentic” story, where player choices shape meaningful outcomes, including permanent consequences like character permadeath.
Star Wars Zero Company Gameplay
Drawing clear inspiration from XCOM, Star Wars: Zero Company blends turn-based tactical combat with deep strategic layers. Gameplay footage showcased squad members taking cover, utilizing unique abilities, and navigating grid-based battlefields, all rendered with a cinematic flair. Bit Reactor, founded by former Firaxis developers who worked on XCOM and Civilization, brings its expertise to craft approachable yet complex mechanics. Players will manage squad loadouts, forge combat synergies through character bonds, and face high-stakes encounters against iconic enemies like Separatist battle droids.
Between missions, players will develop a base of operations and gather intelligence through a network of informants, adding a strategic hub world reminiscent of XCOM’s base-building. The game’s massive map, one of the largest in a Star Wars game, spans familiar planets like Serolonis from The Bad Batch, Vandor from Solo: A Star Wars Story, and Mapuzo from Obi-Wan Kenobi, alongside new locations. Choices made on where to deploy and which missions to undertake will influence the story and squad dynamics, ensuring no two playthroughs are identical.
Check out screenshots of Star Wars Zero Company in the image gallery:
Credit:
EA, Bit Reactor, Lucasfilm Games, and Respawn Entertainment
Deep Customization and Immersive Star Wars Vibes
Customization is a cornerstone of Star Wars: Zero Company. Players can tailor Hawks’ appearance and combat class, and even opt to play as an astromech droid as the protagonist. Recruited operatives can be personalized with unique appearances, equipment, and abilities, offering near-endless squad combinations. The trailer highlighted the squad’s starship, the Caisson, piloted by a new droid, M-3VO, adding to the game’s authentic Star Wars flavor.
The game’s tone, described as akin to Andor for its grounded intensity, is elevated by a score from Gordy Haab, known for his work on Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor. Cameos from familiar Star Wars characters are also teased, grounding the original story in the broader universe.
Star Wars: Zero Company marks a bold step for the franchise into tactical strategy, a genre underrepresented in its gaming history. Bit Reactor’s pedigree, combined with Respawn’s proven track record on Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor, has fueled excitement, with fans on platforms like X calling it a “must-play” for its XCOM-style gameplay and deep Star Wars immersion.
Lucasfilm Games’ Douglas Reilly, the company’s Vice President and General Manager, underscored the team’s passion for tactics games, stating, “The best tactics games are all about meaningful choices, and we’re confident Bit Reactor will deliver a compelling and innovative title.” With its blend of strategic depth, narrative weight, and Star Wars authenticity, Zero Company is poised to fill a unique niche when it deploys in 2026.
Fans can find out more information about Star Wars Zero Company now on EA’s official site and stay tuned for more details as development progresses. For strategy enthusiasts and Star Wars devotees alike, Zero Company promises a thrilling shadow war worth commanding.
