Disco Elysium Developer Faces Layoffs: Is the Studio Doomed?
Hey there, fellow gamers! Today we’ve got some news that might leave you feeling a little down. It seems that ZA/UM, the brilliant studio behind the critically acclaimed game Disco Elysium, is facing some tough times. The recent cancellation of an expansion for the game has reportedly led to layoffs and raised questions about the future of the studio.
If you’ve played Disco Elysium, you know just how unique and interesting it is. It’s a detective game like no other, with a captivating story and deep characters that draw you in from the start. But behind the scenes, things have been far from smooth sailing, as a documentary by People Make Games revealed last year.
A Studio in Turmoil
According to a report from GLHF, ZA/UM is planning to lay off around 24 staff members following the cancellation of a standalone Disco Elysium expansion codenamed X7. This project was said to be one or two years away from completion, making its cancellation a significant blow for the studio. And it’s not the only project that ZA/UM has had to put on hold or abandon in recent years, with a Disco Elysium sequel and an unnamed sci-fi game also in the mix.
So, what’s the atmosphere like at the studio right now? Well, two of the writers on X7, Argo Tuulik and Dora Klindžić, have opened up about their experiences. Tuulik, the last writer from the original Disco Elysium team, believes that the studio “will forever stay a one-game studio.” It’s a somber statement that echoes the challenges faced by many indie game developers.
Klindžić, on the other hand, describes the last two months of X7 as a period of crunch, burnout, and conflict. Joining the studio in 2022 felt akin to “being born into Yugoslavia in the ’90s,” she said. It’s a vivid comparison that illustrates the harsh realities of the game development industry.
A Meeting of Uncertainty
According to the report, a meeting led by ZA/UM CEO Ilmar Kompus, his brother-in-law Tõnis Haavel, and studio president Ed Tomaszewski was held to announce the cancellation of X7 and the subsequent layoffs. This was followed by letters from HR being delivered to affected staff, allegedly informing them that each employee would be assigned a score based on selection criteria, and the lowest-scoring individuals would be let go. It’s a chilling situation that reflects the brutal nature of corporate decision-making.
What Does the Future Hold?
So, what’s next for ZA/UM? Will they recover from this setback and continue creating amazing games? Only time will tell. We’ve reached out to ZA/UM for a statement and will update you as soon as we hear back. As gamers, it’s important for us to support the studios and developers who bring us joy, so let’s keep an eye on ZA/UM and show them our love and encouragement during this difficult time.
Conclusion: Stand with ZA/UM
Gaming is a world full of challenges and triumphs, just like the games we love to play. ZA/UM, the studio behind Disco Elysium, is facing its own set of challenges right now, but they’re not alone. As gamers, we can rally together and show our support for the developers who pour their hearts and souls into creating incredible experiences for us.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed for ZA/UM and hope that they can overcome this obstacle. Reach out to them on social media, share your love for Disco Elysium, and let them know that they’re not alone. Together, we can help them rise above the odds and continue crafting gaming masterpieces that will leave a lasting impact on all of us.