Microsoft has announced that Star Wars Zero Company, a turn-based tactics game developed by Bit Reactor and helmed by former Firaxis XCOM veterans, will be released on Xbox Series X|S on 27 August 2026. The game blends tactical combat with RPG-style storytelling set during the Clone Wars era of the Star Wars universe.
The game puts players in control of Hawks, a former Republic officer leading the mercenary group Zero Company. The narrative involves investigating the spread of a dangerous cult known as the Coil and a mysterious plague, all while contending with debt owed to the Hutt crime syndicate. Players will engage in tactical battles against smugglers, cultists, and droids across a variety of locations in the galaxy.
Detailed Party Customisation and Tactical Combat
Star Wars Zero Company features a robust character customisation system. Players can modify the appearance, classes, and abilities of squad members, including generated recruits available for hire. Certain unique characters, such as a Jedi Padawan and a Mandalorian Bounty Hunter, maintain fixed specialisations. The game incorporates a permadeath mechanic where characters accumulate wounds and can be permanently lost if they sustain too many without resting.
The tactical battles follow a familiar turn-based structure. Each character has three action points per turn to spend on movement, attacks, or abilities. The game includes a shared resource called Advantage, which caps at 10 and is consumed to use the most powerful squad abilities. Objectives in combat vary from outright elimination of enemies to mission-specific tasks such as hostage rescues or area control before extraction.
Platform Availability and Development Background
Star Wars Zero Company marks the debut of Bit Reactor, a studio formed by industry veterans with prior experience on the XCOM series. The title will launch exclusively on Xbox Series X|S consoles. The combination of the Star Wars IP and tactical gameplay is expected to appeal to both strategy enthusiasts and fans of the franchise.
The announcement comes with a preview period during which the game’s mechanics and narrative elements were highlighted, emphasising its polished presentation and engaging cast of characters. Bit Reactor has included procedural generation for some team members, allowing for dynamic squad compositions and varied player experiences.
The confirmed release date for Star Wars Zero Company is 27 August 2026 on Xbox Series X|S. No additional platform releases or subscription service availability have been disclosed at this time.
