- Star Wars Zero Company is a turn-based tactical game set during the Clone Wars, launching August 27, 2026.
- Clone Wars setting: Play as Hawks, a disgraced Republic officer leading an independent mercenary outfit.
- Infinite Coil: The main antagonists are a separatist-aligned paramilitary cult spreading the deadly Shadow Plague.
- Customization: Hawks is fully customizable across species, appearance, and tactical specialties.
- Bond system: Character relationships directly impact gameplay through mission selection and interactions.
Star Wars Zero Company Comic Con Panel Overview
The Star Wars Zero Company Comic Con panel delivered an in-depth look at the game's story, characters, and tactical gameplay. Hosted by IGN at San Diego Comic-Con, the panel featured narrative director Aaron Contreres, Lucasfilm creative executive Kelsey Sharp, and the core voice cast. The team revealed that Zero Company is a character-driven, turn-based tactical experience set during the later years of the Clone Wars.
Video Highlights:
- Full cast panel featuring Johnny Freeman (Hawks), Dee Bradley Baker (Trick), Vic Mis (Runa), and Reika Sharma (Fathom)
- Behind-the-scenes look at performance capture and character development
- Exclusive gameplay clips showcasing tactical combat and story cinematics
- Reveals of the official soundtrack and collector's edition details
Zero Company takes place during the later Clone Wars era. This period allows for both large-scale military storytelling and deeply personal character narratives, echoing the tone of the beloved Clone Wars animated series.
The panel confirmed that the game launches on August 27, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox consoles. The collector's edition includes a Hasbro Black Series variant detonator, steelbook, desk mat, and the original soundtrack by Grammy-winning composer Gordy Haab.
Main Cast and Characters
The panel introduced the core cast of Star Wars Zero Company, each bringing a unique perspective to the Clone Wars conflict. The characters span multiple sides of the galactic conflict, from Republic veterans to former Separatist operatives.
| Character | Actor | Role | Alignment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawks (Masculine) | Johnny Freeman | Leader of Zero Company, disgraced Republic officer | Independent |
| Hawks (Feminine) | Erica Luttrell | Female variant of the customizable protagonist | Independent |
| Trick | Dee Bradley Baker | Clone trooper on semi-permanent loan to Zero Company | Republic (loaned) |
| Runa | Vic Mis | Operations and finance manager, former Separatist consultant | Separatist (former) |
| Fathom | Reika Sharma | Leader of the Infinite Coil cult | Antagonist |
| Anakin Skywalker | Matt Lanter | Cameo appearance, Clone Wars era Jedi General | Republic |
| Cap Uppercut | JB Blanc | Zero Company operator | Independent |
| Gorga | Kevin Michael Richardson | Supporting character | Independent |
Hawks — The Broken Leader
- Former Republic officer drummed out after a devastating incident
- Fully customizable: species, appearance, and tactical class
- Noir-inspired character arc about redemption and reconnection
- Voice performed by Johnny Freeman (masculine) and Erica Luttrell (feminine)
Trick — The Rogue Clone
- Battle-damaged clone trooper reassigned to a desk job
- Used creative paperwork to secure a semi-permanent loan to Zero Company
- Shares a deep backstory with Hawks from their Republic days
- Carries trauma from the Umbara campaign, creating tension with Umbaran teammates
Runa — The Reluctant Fixer
- Former Trade Federation financial consultant now working for Zero Company
- Manages operations, finances, and client relationships
- Separatist sympathizer working out of pure necessity
- Brings sharp wit and blunt honesty to team dynamics
Fathom — The Cult Leader
- Leader of the Infinite Coil, a paramilitary cult aligned with the Separatists
- Commands the Shadow Plague that threatens the galaxy
- Charismatic and calculating, described as patient and strategic
- Preys on galactic inequality and social decay to recruit followers
Trick and the team's Umbaran operator share a volatile history rooted in the Umbara campaign. Players can either escalate or heal this conflict through the bond system by carefully managing mission assignments.
The Infinite Coil and Shadow Plague
The Infinite Coil serves as the primary antagonist faction in Star Wars Zero Company. This separatist-aligned paramilitary cult is infected with a mysterious disease known as the Shadow Plague, which unites them under Fathom's leadership.
| Faction Element | Description | Gameplay Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Infinite Coil | Separatist-aligned paramilitary cult | Primary enemy faction throughout the campaign |
| Shadow Plague | Mysterious disease infecting cult members | Evolves and grows, visible on the galaxy map |
| Fathom | Cult leader commanding the Infinite Coil | Main antagonist with strategic patience |
| Cult Units | Infected soldiers serving the Coil | Encounter diverse enemy types as plague spreads |
| Galactic Influence | Sector-by-sector corruption spreading across the map | Players must push back Fathom's influence region by region |
The Shadow Plague is not a static threat. It grows and evolves throughout the game, with its influence visible on the galaxy map. Players can track which sectors have been corrupted and deploy Zero Company to push Fathom's forces back.
Fathom is not a typical mustache-twirling villain. She exploits real inequalities in the Star Wars galaxy — corrupt magistrates, undermined democracy, and corporate exploitation — making her a dangerously compelling antagonist who believes in her cause.
Fathom's charisma and cold strategic mind make her one of the most nuanced villains in recent Star Wars storytelling. She preys on the chaos of the Clone Wars, using the decay of the Republic's social order to advance her own mysterious agenda centered on an undisclosed power.
Gameplay and Customization Features
Star Wars Zero Company is a turn-based tactical game where players control Hawks and a customizable squad of operators. The game blends XCOM-style tactical combat with deep character-driven storytelling set in the Star Wars universe.
| Feature | Details | Player Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Hawks Customization | Species, appearance, gender, and tactical specialty | Multiple playthroughs with different builds |
| Operator Creation | Build a fully custom cast including Astromechs | No two Zero Company squads are identical |
| Bond System | Relationships grow through shared missions | Unlocks narrative branches and gameplay bonuses |
| Mission Selection | Choose which operators to send on each mission | Strategic team composition matters |
| Galaxy Map | Track Shadow Plague spread sector by sector | Plan campaigns against Infinite Coil influence |
| Performance Capture | Full mo-cap performances for cinematics | Cinematic-quality character interactions |
Customize Your Hawks
Choose Hawks' species, gender, appearance, and tactical specialty. Both masculine (Johnny Freeman) and feminine (Erica Luttrell) voice options are available, each offering unique narrative nuances.
Build Your Zero Company Roster
Recruit and customize operators from across the Star Wars galaxy. Each operator brings unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives shaped by their side of the Clone Wars conflict.
Manage Bonds and Relationships
Send operators on missions together to build or repair relationships. The bond system directly affects story outcomes, with confrontational dynamics like Trick and the Umbaran operator offering both risk and reward.
Counter the Shadow Plague
Monitor the galaxy map for Infinite Coil activity. Deploy Zero Company to infected sectors to push back Fathom's influence and contain the spreading plague.
The combination of customizable characters, branching bond systems, and multiple tactical approaches means no two playthroughs of Zero Company will be exactly the same. Narrative director Aaron Contreres emphasized that the game is designed for repeated playthroughs.
Collector's Edition and Launch Details
The Comic Con panel concluded with two major reveals: the official game soundtrack and the collector's edition contents. Both are available for pre-order ahead of the August 27, 2026 launch.
| Edition | Contents | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | Base game on PC, PS5, or Xbox | August 27, 2026 launch |
| Collector's Edition | Hasbro Black Series variant detonator, steelbook, desk mat, and more | Pre-order available now |
| Original Soundtrack | Composed by Grammy-winning Gordy Haab | Available launch day, pre-order open |
Pre-Launch Preparation Checklist:
- Pre-order the game at starwarszero company.com
- Choose your preferred platform: PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox
- Pre-order the original soundtrack by Gordy Haab
- Research tactical class options for your Hawks build
- Plan your first squad composition strategy
The collector's edition and standard editions are available for pre-order at the official website. The soundtrack can also be pre-ordered separately and will be available on launch day, August 27, 2026.
Development Team and Creative Vision
Star Wars Zero Company is developed by Bit Crafter, with narrative direction by Aaron Contreres — a veteran of Respawn's Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor. The Lucasfilm side is represented by creative executive Kelsey Sharp, who oversees story continuity across games, books, comics, animation, and more.
| Team Member | Role | Notable Work |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Contreres | Narrative and Cinematic Director | Jedi: Fallen Order, Jedi: Survivor |
| Kelsey Sharp | Creative Executive, Lucasfilm | Lucasfilm continuity team across all media |
| Greg Burch | Champion of the project | Advocated for tactical strategy in Clone Wars era |
| Gordy Haab | Composer (Soundtrack) | Grammy-winning composer |
| Cole & Carolyn | Lead Writers | On-set script development and improv collaboration |
The development team emphasized their commitment to authentic Star Wars storytelling. The cast performed together in a motion capture volume, allowing for real-time improvisation and organic character interactions that elevated the scripted material.
Kelsey Sharp and the Lucasfilm story team ensured Zero Company fits seamlessly into Clone Wars lore. The game references established events like the Umbara campaign and weaves original characters into the existing timeline with careful attention to continuity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does Star Wars Zero Company release?
Star Wars Zero Company launches on August 27, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox consoles. Pre-orders are available now at the official website, including standard and collector's editions.
Q: Is Star Wars Zero Company a turn-based game?
Yes, Zero Company is a turn-based tactical game in the style of XCOM. Players control Hawks and a customizable squad of operators, making strategic decisions about team composition, mission selection, and bond management across the campaign.
Q: Can you customize Hawks in Star Wars Zero Company?
Hawks is fully customizable. Players can choose Hawks' species (including alien options), gender, appearance, costumes, and tactical specialty. Both masculine (Johnny Freeman) and feminine (Erica Luttrell) voice performances are available, each offering unique narrative nuances.
Q: What is the Infinite Coil in Star Wars Zero Company?
The Infinite Coil is a separatist-aligned paramilitary cult led by Fathom. Its members are infected with the Shadow Plague, a mysterious disease that evolves throughout the game. The cult's influence spreads across the galaxy map, and players must deploy Zero Company to push back their corruption sector by sector.
Q: Does Star Wars Zero Company feature Clone Wars characters?
Yes, the game is set during the later Clone Wars and features appearances from established characters. Matt Lanter reprises his role as Anakin Skywalker, and Dee Bradley Baker voices Trick, a clone trooper with ties to the Umbara campaign storyline familiar to Clone Wars fans.