EA Unveils 'Zero Company': A Turn-Based Strategy Game Set in the Star Wars Universe

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced its latest addition to the Star Wars franchise, titled Zero Company, which will feature a turn-based strategy format reminiscent of the popular XCOM series. This new title is being developed by Bit Reactor, an independent studio formed by veterans from the acclaimed XCOM development team.

Details about Zero Company remain limited, with an initial reveal scheduled for April 19 during the Star Wars Celebration, where gameplay footage will be showcased for the first time. Currently, only a single piece of artwork has been made public.

While the development of a turn-based Star Wars game has been anticipated, this project marks Bit Reactor's inaugural endeavor. The studio boasts a significant number of team members with previous experience at Firaxis Games, the creators behind the XCOM series, with approximately one-third of its workforce having a background in that franchise.

In collaboration with Respawn Entertainment, which is also under the EA umbrella, the team aims to create an engaging single-player tactical experience. Respawn has already established a strong reputation in the Star Wars gaming space, thanks to titles such as Titanfall and the critically acclaimed Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order and Jedi Survivor.

According to preliminary descriptions, Zero Company is characterized as a turn-based tactical game designed for solo play. Although official screenshots have yet to be released, leaked images circulating on social media suggest gameplay elements that strongly resemble those found in XCOM. These images hint at mechanics such as an 'Overwatch' ability, enabling characters to monitor portions of the battlefield and react to enemy movements, with hit probabilities akin to those in XCOM.

Additionally, it appears that players will have access to a base of operations, allowing for strategic planning and resource management between missions, further enhancing the tactical depth of the game.

Zero Company is slated for release on multiple platforms, including PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5, promising to deliver a unique blend of beloved Star Wars lore and strategic gameplay.