Move over, Jedi Knights and dogfighting starfighters—it’s time for the boots-on-the-ground tacticians to shine.

Electronic Arts and Bit Reactor (a studio staffed by former XCOM veterans) have officially blown the doors off the Summer Game Fest with a massive gameplay reveal for Star Wars Zero Company™. Launching on August 27, 2026, for PC, PlayStation®5, and Xbox Series X|S, this single-player turn-based tactics game is trading high-flying lightsaber duels for cover mechanics, squad synergy, and brutal permadeath.

If you’ve ever wanted to play XCOM in the Star Wars universe, your dream is finally coming true. Here is everything you need to know about your next strategy obsession.

The Premise: Misfits, Mercenaries, and Mythical Cults

Set during the twilight of the Clone Wars, Star Wars Zero Company leans away from the pristine halls of Coruscant and dives straight into the gritty, underworld vibe of Rogue One and Andor.

You step into the boots of Hawks, a former Galactic Republic officer. Your mission? Recruit a rogue crew of specialists, misfits, and mercenaries from across the galaxy to stop a dangerous, Separatist-aligned cult known as the Infinite Coil, led by the mysterious Kundri Fathom.

The story is fully canon, and Aaron Contreras (narrative lead behind Jedi: Fallen Order and Survivor) is at the helm. Expect plenty of political intrigue, high stakes, and even a few heavy-hitting cameos—yes, Anakin Skywalker popped up at the end of the trailer!

? QUICK FACT: You can fully customize Hawks’ gender, appearance, voice, and species. Want to play as a Twi'lek or a Human? The choice is yours.

Gameplay: Deep Strategy Meets Cinematic Action

Bit Reactor is utilising its strategy pedigree to deliver deep, turn-based combat from a top-down perspective, but with a twist. The game seamlessly transitions into cinematic, third-person action cameras when the blaster bolts start flying, giving it the high production value of a major action-adventure title.

Here are the features we are most excited about:

• Customizable Squads: Your team will feature a mix of hand-crafted story characters—like a Mandalorian from Clan Verminoth or a rogue Clone Trooper—and custom mercenaries you hire. You can even build and customise your own astromech droids to provide explosive support.
• The Permadeath Threat: Just like XCOM, every move matters. Your squad members can suffer lasting injuries or even permanent death. Lose your favourite sniper, and they are gone for good, though the narrative will dynamically adapt to your losses.
• The Den (Your Base of Operations): Between tactical strikes, you’ll manage your HQ on the Ring of Kafrene. Here, you will use a holotable to plot missions across a dynamic map of over 150 planets, manage squad conflicts, and research new gear.
• Dynamic Timelines: Time moves in “cycles.” Some high-priority target missions are time-sensitive. If you ignore them to gather intel elsewhere, they will expire, allowing the enemy to grow stronger.

How to Get Ready For Launch

Pre-orders are live across Steam, the PlayStation Store, and Xbox. Snagging the game early secures you the Crystalline Astromech Cosmetic Pack. If you opt for the Deluxe Edition, you’ll get two additional exclusive cosmetic packs and five painted weapon themes to make your squad look as lethal as possible.

Mark your calendars for August 27, 2026. May the Force—and a high hit-percentage chance—be with you.

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