Major publishers are desperately carving out safe launch windows to avoid the overwhelming gravitational pull of the next Grand Theft Auto game arriving this November. Electronic Arts just planted a major flag in the late summer schedule. Co-developed by Respawn Entertainment and Bit Reactor, Star Wars Zero Company officially launches on August 27, 2026, bringing high-end tactical strategy to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
The gameplay trailer premiered during Summer Game Fest and immediately confirmed an appearance by Jedi General Anakin Skywalker. You are not playing as the legendary Jedi. Instead, you step into the boots of a former Republic officer named Hawks. Working from a base of operations called the “Den,” you dispatch teams across the galactic map to hunt down Kundri Fathom, a dangerous Dark Side cult leader operating in the twilight of the Clone Wars.
The mechanics borrow heavily from the beloved XCOM formula, which makes sense given that Bit Reactor was founded by former XCOM senior art director Greg Foertsch. The combat is strictly turn-based and introduces a harsh consequence for your custom squad members: permanent death. If a recruit falls in battle, they are gone forever, though story-based characters retain unique skills that keep the narrative moving. Players can recruit operators from eight iconic species, including Togruta, Twi’lek, and Zabrak, all set to an original score by Grammy-winning composer Gordy Haab.
You can lock in a preorder right now, with the standard edition priced at $70. A Deluxe Edition is also available, offering cosmetic upgrades like the Crystalline Astromech pack.
How the Fall Release Shadow Dictates Summer Schedules
This release changes the mechanical direction for the property. This is the first time the Star Wars franchise is diving into the hardcore tactical turn-based strategy genre with high-end cinematic production values. The timing is equally calculated.
Industry analysts indicate EA is actively positioning the game for a late August drop to avoid the release window dominated by Rockstar Games this holiday season. Getting a highly polished, niche strategy title out before the fall rush guarantees it finds a dedicated audience without getting buried by broader industry hype.