Why XCOM’s Tactics Formula Is the Key to a Perfect Star Wars Strategy Game

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Back in January 2022, it emerged that a fresh studio named Bit Reactor was working on a strategy game set within the Star Wars universe, with Respawn Entertainment providing assistance for publishing. Over the years, we’ve seen several popular Star Wars strategy games, many of which belong to the real-time genre such as Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds and Star Wars: Empire at War. With these titles in mind, fans were eagerly anticipating that Bit Reactor’s project would continue in a similar vein.

The news is out: Bit Reactor’s new project is indeed a “strategic, turn-based Star Wars game,” which will be unveiled on April 19 at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Although some enthusiasts may have wished for a massive real-time strategy experience, the turn-based tactical approach aligns well with the Star Wars universe and is particularly fitting considering the studio’s background.

XCOM Lays Some Strong Foundations for a Star Wars Tactics Game

XCOM’s Formula Would Fit Star Wars Perfectly

Despite undergoing significant changes since its launch in 1994, the fundamental gameplay design of XCOM has largely remained consistent. Players assemble a team of customized Sci-Fi XCOM soldiers and direct them through various tactical missions. These missions can involve tasks such as safeguarding a VIP from danger, rescuing prisoners held by aliens, or dismantling crucial alien technology.

It’s not hard to picture a Star Wars game with a similar structure. A turn-based tactics Star Wars game might have players leading a team of Clone Commandos sneaking past Separatist defenses, or a band of Rebel soldiers striking back against their Imperial enemies. The mechanics from the game XCOM would work well for this kind of gameplay, allowing players to strategically position each unit, take cover, and fire at approaching Battle Droids or Stormtroopers while utilizing special abilities themed around the source material.

Drawing inspiration from XCOM would align well with Bit Reactor’s background, considering its founding by Greg Foertsch, a former art director at Firaxis. Soon after, several other developers from Firaxis joined, many of whom had worked on both Civilization and XCOM. Given that team members have a history of creating turn-based titles, it seems fitting that their upcoming Star Wars game might follow in the footsteps of these past games.

Bit Reactor’s Star Wars Tactics Game Should Still Chart Its Own Course

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but imagine how extraordinary it would be if Bit Reactor took on the challenge of creating a turn-based Star Wars tactics game, leveraging the robust foundation laid by XCOM. However, it’s essential to remember that Bit Reactor is not Firaxis, and they’re eager to carve out their own niche in the turn-based strategy genre. In a blog post published on their website in December 2024 titled “Bit Reactor: More Than Just XCOM,” the studio delves into their innovative approach to developer recruitment.

Bit Reactor, unlike many video game studios, deliberately seeks out developers with diverse genre backgrounds, excluding strategy games. This is because the studio aims to create not just an exceptional game but one that attracts players from various genres. Given this approach, it’s reasonable to anticipate that Bit Reactor’s upcoming “Star Wars” game will aim for a distinct and appealing identity within the gaming world.

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2025-03-22 20:24