Leaked screenshots of Star Wars strategy game from XCOM veterans emerge

Bit Reactor, a studio formed by key Firaxis members who worked on the modern XCOM strategy titles, is developing a new turn-based tactical Star Ware game in collaboration with Respawn Entertainment. With the game announced in 2022, it's expected to be revealed next month at the Star Wars Celebration, with the game getting its panel.

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Ahead of its debut, we've gotten our first look at the game via MP1st, which has posted screenshots from a Bit Reactor artist who posted them to an online portfolio with the codename "Star Wars Bruno." Although these screenshots are from mid-2023, they clearly show gameplay and elements reminiscent of modern XCOM-style turn-based tactics games.

One of the screenshots that you can see above shows two units with Mandalorian armor in 'Overwatch' cover formation. In these games, any enemy that enters the 'Overwatch' zone is automatically fired upon. The screenshot also shows a Jedi character, a droid, and a clone trooper, with another zooming in on a Mandalorian unit choosing to throw a thermal detonator with a UI that includes controller button icons.

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There's also a look at what could become the game's hub, with Headquarters concept art showing Armory, Holotable, Special Ops, and Black Market options. It's important to note that what we see here could be early versions of a game that could look a lot different in 2025, but it does point to it living up to its goal of creating an XCOM-style strategy game set in the Star Wars universe.

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During an interview with PC Gamer last year, Bit Reactor's creative director, Greg Foertsch, told the publication that the game and team's goal is to grow the turn-based tactics genre with "immersion, storytelling, and visual presentation." At the same time, the studio aims to present a more cinematic game without sacrificing the complexity and depth that the genre is known for. Star Wars Celebration kicks off on April 19, so we don't have long to wait for our first official look at the game.