Star Wars Zero Company Studio Founder Says Call With Vince Zampella Led to Project’s Development

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It seems obvious now that a strategy game like XCOM set in the Star Wars universe (Star Wars Zero Company) would be a great idea. But according to Gregory Foertsch, who led art direction on the XCOM series and Marvel’s Midnight Suns and is now founder of Bit Reactor, the project started in a more unexpected way. He told PCGamer that after two decades at Firaxis making strategy games, he wanted to continue working in the genre. This opportunity came about thanks to a phone call from the late Vince Zampella.

Foertsch explained that after spending around 22 years creating strategy games at Firaxis, he decided to leave. He was determined to continue working in the strategy and tactics genre.

He described sitting in the dark in his office, with his wife and kids asleep, when the phone rang. The number was unfamiliar, but he answered it anyway. A voice identified himself as Vince Zampella and asked if he had a game idea he wanted to discuss.

During the phone call, Foertsch began outlining a new idea for a strategy game. Zampella then wondered if it could be set in the Star Wars universe. Foertsch agreed, thinking how incredible the opportunity was. He responded positively, and Zampella immediately asked him to present a detailed proposal.

The strategy game Star Wars Zero Company was officially announced in April 2025, following early leaks that showed off screenshots and the game’s name. It’s planned for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, though a specific date hasn’t been announced yet. The game’s story takes place between Episode 2: Attack of the Clones and Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith, focusing on smaller battles during the conflict between the Republic and the Trade Federation.

Following the announcement, Foertsch explained that Star Wars Zero Company will have a more realistic and intense feel, similar to the films Rogue One and the Clone Wars series.

Foertsch explained that the Clone Wars provided many of the game’s core mechanics, which was a huge benefit. He also noted the unusual camera perspective within Clone Wars presented a unique opportunity. This allowed the design team to create a compelling story and incorporate innovative gameplay features, ultimately opening up many possibilities for the game’s development.

Kelsey Sharpe, a creative executive, joined him to talk about the Clone Wars story. They discussed how the show could explore hopeful ideas while still feeling realistic and reflecting the seriousness of war.

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2026-03-30 17:15