Following Ubisoft's foray into the galaxy far, far away with 2024's Star Wars Outlaws, Electronic Arts is charting a different course for its next major single-player Star Wars title. Partnering with developer Bit Reactor and leveraging the production expertise of Respawn Entertainment, the acclaimed studio behind the Star Wars Jedi series, EA is preparing to launch Star Wars: Zero Company. This upcoming title marks a significant shift, promising fans the turn-based tactical gameplay experience many have long desired within the Star Wars universe, moving away from the action-adventure and open-world formats recently explored.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcxnRaZ6slU The development pedigree behind Zero Company is noteworthy. Bit Reactor, although a relatively new studio, was founded by industry veterans with extensive experience on landmark strategy franchises like XCOM and Civilization. Their expertise in tactical gameplay is being combined with the narrative and Star Wars universe proficiency of Respawn Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games, suggesting a blend of deep strategic mechanics and authentic Star Wars storytelling. This collaboration aims to deliver a fresh yet familiar experience for strategy enthusiasts and Star Wars fans alike, setting it apart from previous EA Star Wars entries like Jedi: Fallen Order, Jedi: Survivor, and Squadrons. Star Wars: Zero Company transports players to the tumultuous Clone Wars era, a setting rich with conflict and narrative potential, distinct from the Original Trilogy timeframe of recent games. While specific plot details are emerging, the game centers on original characters rather than relying solely on established movie or series figures. Initial art and information point towards a diverse squad potentially including bounty hunters, Jedi, droids, and clone troopers, led by a customizable protagonist named Hawks. Leaked information and early descriptions strongly suggest gameplay mechanics reminiscent of the XCOM series, featuring elements such as:Turn-based combat encountersCover-based tacticsOverwatch abilitiesHit chance percentagesThis focus on tactical squad management is expected to be a core pillar of the experience. The game is being designed as a dedicated single-player experience, emphasizing strategic depth and potentially significant player choice. Reports suggest features like squad customization, base development, and managing informant networks will play crucial roles, hinting at layers of strategic planning beyond the battlefield and fostering replayability. The developers aim for meaningful outcomes derived from player decisions, weaving tactical success and narrative progression together. Confirmed for release on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5, fans eagerly anticipate more details, with further reveals expected around events like Star Wars Celebration. Ultimately, Star Wars: Zero Company represents an exciting evolution for Star Wars gaming under EA's banner. By embracing the turn-based tactics genre and entrusting development to specialists at Bit Reactor, supported by the proven talent at Respawn, the publisher is diversifying its portfolio and catering to a different segment of the fanbase. The combination of strategic gameplay, a Clone Wars setting, original characters, and promised player agency positions Zero Company as a potentially compelling and unique addition to the ever-expanding Star Wars interactive universe, offering a thoughtful, tactical counterpoint to more action-oriented titles.
