While most of the Star Wars community's attention is still focused on film and television projects, EA and Lucasfilm Games are quietly preparing a notable launch in the gaming segment: Star Wars Zero Company, the turn-based strategy game has an official release date, 27/8/2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. For those who have been bored with the shooting and action games that have dominated the Star Wars brand for many years, this may be a name worth paying attention to.
The team behind: Civilization and XCOM veterans
What makes strategy gamers most curious is not the Star Wars setting, but who is behind the wheel. Zero Company is developed by BitReactor, a relatively young studio but with a team of veterans who previously worked at Firaxis Games, the name behind Civilization and the legendary XCOM reboot. Respawn Entertainment also contributed to the development, bringing together deep strategy game development experience and large-scale production capabilities.
Context: another perspective on the Clone Wars
The story is set in the final stages of the Clone Wars, but instead of following the familiar Jedi or Republic generals, players take on the role of Hawks, a former Republican officer now commands a group of mercenaries and bounty hunters from across the galaxy, who together confront a new threat emerging amidst the chaos of war. This is a rather novel approach to the Clone Wars timeline, telling the story from the periphery of the conflict, rather than the center.
Gameplay: XCOM spirit, Star Wars shell
In terms of gameplay, Zero Company clearly resembles the modern XCOM series: turn-based combat with role-playing elements, where every decision regarding position and skill can determine survival. Beyond battles, players can build bases and send spies to gather intelligence on enemy plans, a layer of macro-level strategy that complements tactical combat. Recruitable teammates include familiar faces from the Star Wars universe: Clone Troopers, Astromech robots, and even Jedi.
- Launch date: 27/8/2026
- Platform: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Category: Turn-based strategy, single player
- Development: Bit Reactor, powered by Respawn Entertainment
- Estimated playing time: 30-40 hours
Why is it worth noting?
High-quality turn-based strategy games are not common, and the fact that a major brand like Star Wars is betting on this genre, instead of continuing to exploit shooting or action, is an interesting sign. If Bit Reactor truly brings the sharp tactical spirit of XCOM to the context of Clone Wars, Zero Company could very well become one of the biggest surprises in the gaming world at the end of 2026.
