The developers of EA’s upcoming Star Wars strategy game have confirmed that the project survived the recent mass layoffs at the publisher. This news comes following the cancellation of a first-person Star Wars shooter from Apex Legends studio Respawn, who are collaborating on the upcoming title. The currently untitled Star Wars strategy game was first revealed to be in development at Bit Reactor a couple of years ago. The newfounded studio consists of former XCOM and Sid Meier’s Civilization developers from Firaxis, led by ex-XCOM art director Greg Foertsch.
Bit Reactor had partnered up with Respawn to work on the new strategy title. Respawn, known for their experience in the Star Wars universe with titles like Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor, faced layoffs as part of EA’s recent restructuring. Despite the challenges faced by Respawn, Bit Reactor’s strategy game was deemed “unaffected” by the recent news. The developers expressed their commitment to the project and reassured fans that they are still hard at work on the game.
Last week was particularly difficult for the industry, with close to 700 people losing their jobs at EA. The closure of single-player Battlefield studio Ridgeline and the cancellation of Respawn’s Star Wars FPS added to the turmoil in the gaming world. However, amidst the chaos, Bit Reactor’s Star Wars strategy game managed to emerge unscathed. The team at Bit Reactor acknowledged the challenges faced by the industry but remained focused on their work.
As for when fans can expect to hear more about the Star Wars strategy game, Bit Reactor mentioned that a first look will be shared “as soon as it’s ready.” The developers are ambitious in their goals for the game, aiming to do for strategy what Baldur’s Gate 3 did for CRPGs. They hope to innovate and push the boundaries of the genre, moving beyond a mere XCOM clone in Star Wars cosplay. According to Foertsch, strategy is a genre with immense potential for growth and storytelling, and they are eager to explore new possibilities in the game.
Despite the challenges faced by EA and Respawn, Bit Reactor’s Star Wars strategy game remains on track for development. The dedication and resilience of the developers have allowed the project to survive the recent turmoil in the gaming industry. Fans can look forward to more updates and a first look at the game in the near future. The survival of the Star Wars strategy game is a testament to the team’s commitment to delivering an innovative and engaging experience for players.
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