Bit Reactor lays off staff after Star Wars Zero Company release
★ Add us as a preferred source on GoogleTL;DR
Bit Reactor has laid off several employees, including a senior environment artist, following a period of furloughs and a recent attempt to bring staff back.
Bit Reactor has laid off a number of developers, according to reports. Messages shared online by staff members like Ryan Lopez, Tyler Eichten, Michael Blackard, and Ryan Mosher revealed they were impacted by the job cuts. Lopez stated that this applied to him following a three-month furlough.
Prior to the late August launch of Star Wars Zero Company, about 80% of the studio's personnel were placed on unpaid leave as funds dwindled. CEO Greg Foertsch said in October that the studio was bringing some of those sidelined staff back to work to reach financial stability. According to reports, the active staff count climbed back to over half of its pre-furlough total during that timeframe.
Star Wars Zero Company holds a critical score of 84. On October 9, the official EA Star Wars account announced the game had sold roughly 1 million copies in its first month and a half.
More on Game industry layoffs
Via PC Gamer ↗ · Also from Video Games Chronicle ↗ · Other coverage: Rock Paper Shotgun ↗, Eurogamer ↗
Spot a mistake? Tell usEarlier coverage
Quick read
Composer Sam Hulick shared an original track for the leaked Mass Effect: Universe trailer on November 7, noting that BioWare previously asked him to score an internal demo before the studio closed.
Quick read
Eiji Aonuma says Nintendo avoids layoffs because long-term employees provide a stable foundation of experience for new projects.
Quick read
Marty Stratton and Hugo Martin say id Software is collaborating more with MachineGames on technology after about half the studio was laid off in July.
Quick read
Ghost of Yotei developer Sucker Punch has laid off 26 employees despite the game generating over $400 million in its launch year. Leadership cites market challenges and future project needs.