EA and Bit Reactor Announce Star Wars Zero Company

Electronic Arts and developer Bit Reactor have officially announced Star Wars Zero Company, a new single-player turn-based tactical video game set within the Star Wars universe. This title marks the franchise's first dedicated foray into the turn-based tactics genre and is developed in partnership with Lucasfilm Games. The game is set during the tumultuous Clone Wars era, a period of widespread conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Players will assume the role of Hawks, a customizable former Galactic Republic officer who leads a specialized mercenary squad. The character of Hawks is voiced by Jonathan Freeman or Erica Luttrell, offering players a choice in vocal performance. Hawks commands Zero Company, a diverse crew of galactic mercenaries that includes a Clone Trooper, a Mandalorian, and a Jedi Padawan. Their primary mission is to hunt down Kundri Fathom, voiced by Rekha Sharma, who is the leader of a Separatist-aligned cult known as the Infinite Coil. The narrative framework of Star Wars Zero Company is inspired by the AMC historical drama Turn, suggesting a focus on espionage, strategic maneuvering, and character-driven plots. Iconic characters from the Star Wars saga, such as Anakin Skywalker, voiced by Matt Lanter, will appear on the periphery of the main story, adding familiar elements to the new narrative. The gameplay mechanics draw significant inspiration from established turn-based strategy staples like the XCOM series. This includes an emphasis on tactical positioning, where players must carefully consider the placement of their units on the battlefield to gain an advantage. The game also features choice-driven progression, indicating that player decisions will influence the development of their characters and the unfolding story. Character-driven mission design is another key element, suggesting that individual squad members will have unique roles and narrative arcs. These design choices are engineered to make the game accessible to both long-time fans of the Star Wars franchise and enthusiasts of the tactical genre. Star Wars Zero Company is scheduled to officially launch on August 27 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. The partnership between Electronic Arts, a major video game publisher known for titles like FIFA and Madden NFL, and Bit Reactor, a development studio, aims to deliver a fresh tactical experience within a beloved science fiction universe. Lucasfilm Games, the gaming division of Lucasfilm, oversees the development of Star Wars games to ensure authenticity and quality.