Star Wars Zero Company looks like XCOM with Jedi and droids

Engadget - Apr 19th, 2025

EA and Lucasfilm have revealed Star Wars Zero Company, a new single-player strategy game set in the Star Wars universe, at the Star Wars Celebration in Japan. Scheduled for release in 2026 on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5, the game follows Hawks, a former Republic officer, leading an elite squad during the Clone Wars. Developed by Respawn Entertainment and Bit Reactor, this title promises a blend of Star Wars' immersive galaxy with turn-based tactics, drawing inspiration from Firaxis' XCOM series.

The collaboration between Respawn and Bit Reactor aims to balance the wide appeal of the Star Wars franchise with the niche demands of strategy game enthusiasts. Bit Reactor's team, including former Firaxis employees like founder Greg Foertsch, ensures a strategy-focused gameplay experience. By integrating cinematic storytelling akin to Respawn's previous successes with a satisfying strategy depth, Star Wars Zero Company seeks to offer meaningful player choices and a rich tactical experience, highlighting the potential for innovation in narrative-driven strategy games within popular universes.

Ea Lucasfilm Star Wars Zero Company Respawn Entertainment Bit Reactor Greg Foertsch Strategy Games Clone Wars Xcom

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed overview of the announcement and development of *Star Wars Zero Company*, a new strategy game set in the Star Wars universe. It accurately presents key information about the game's setting, development team, and gameplay inspiration, supported by credible sources such as developer statements and press releases. However, the article could benefit from additional perspectives and independent analysis to enhance its balance and source quality. The clear and concise language, combined with the timely nature of the topic, makes it accessible and engaging for readers interested in gaming and Star Wars. While the article is unlikely to provoke significant controversy, it effectively captures the public's interest in the upcoming game. Overall, the article is informative and well-structured, with room for improvement in transparency and the inclusion of diverse viewpoints.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports on the announcement of *Star Wars Zero Company*, a new strategy game developed by Respawn Entertainment and Bit Reactor, as confirmed by various sources. The claim that the game draws inspiration from XCOM and involves former Firaxis employees is also supported by the background of Bit Reactor's founder. However, the original announcement in 2022 and the extent of the game's inspiration from XCOM could benefit from further verification. Overall, the story's factual claims align well with the available information, but a few areas require additional confirmation.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the development and features of *Star Wars Zero Company*, showcasing the perspectives of the developers and their vision for the game. It does not delve into other viewpoints, such as player expectations or industry expert opinions, which could have provided a more balanced perspective. The lack of critical analysis or potential challenges the game might face could suggest a slight bias toward promoting the game's positive aspects.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey information about the game. It logically presents details about the game's setting, development, and gameplay features, making it easy for readers to follow. The tone remains neutral and informative, which aids in comprehension. However, some technical terms related to game development may require further explanation for readers unfamiliar with the industry.

Source quality

The article references a press release and statements from game developers, which are credible but may not fully capture an unbiased perspective. The reliance on developer statements could introduce a conflict of interest, as these sources are inherently promotional. Inclusion of independent expert opinions or third-party analysis would enhance the source quality by providing a more balanced view.

Transparency

The article clearly attributes statements to specific individuals, such as Greg Foertsch, and provides context about the game's development. However, it lacks transparency regarding the methodology used to gather information, such as how interviews were conducted or how the press release was obtained. Greater disclosure of these aspects would improve the transparency of the reporting.