Summary
FormerDisco Elysiumdevelopers have announced two new studios on the same day. Five years after the launch ofDisco Elysium, fans still hold out hope for more introspective adventures with Harry Du Bois and Kim Katsuragi, and while a sequel isn’t in the cards, a spiritual successor seems to be in the works.
The one-of-a-kind non-traditional RPGDisco Elysium, developed and published by ZA/UM,saw universal acclaim upon its release in 2019. Packed with walls of dialogue and a unique skill check system, the game’s characters and setting struck a chord with players, with many eager for more. Unfortunately, while a sequel and several spin-off projects were in active development, three of the most senior members ofDisco Elysium’s dev team left ZA/UMon bad terms at the end of 2021, leaving the future of the IP in question. While the aforementioned projects have been canceled, there’s now some new hope for fans of the eccentric title.
On October 11, twelve former ZA/UM staff members announced the establishment of Longdue Games, which is hard at work on a spiritual successor to theendlessly replayable titleDisco Elysium. The studio has also brought on game development veterans from Bungie, Rockstar Games, Brave at Night, and others. Soon after, another 20 former staff members announced Dark Math Games, with the studio creating a detective RPG titledXXX Nightshift. The game will launch for PC via Steam, though a release date has not yet been announced.
Former Disco Elysium Developers Announce Two New Studios on the Same Day
Longdue Studios has already secured seed funding to support its development of an “RPG with narrative depth,” something fans ofDisco Elysiumare happy to hear. The team at the new studio noted that they’re inspired by classic RPGs, and going forward, they’re eager to create another narrative-heavy psychological game. While a title for the studio’s debut game hasn’t been announced, it promises to introduce a groundbreaking “psychogeographic RPG” mechanic, where each decision a player makes will reshape both the characters in the game and the world they inhabit.
Meanwhile, Dark Math Games is currently developingXXX Nightshift, a detective RPG with gameplay seemingly similar to that found inDisco Elysium. Thestory-driven gamewill see players step into the role of a Patrol Op on holiday at a ski resort in Antarctica who is soon stranded. Every choice matters, and similar toDisco Elysium, players will be able to combine 20 traces across four categories to shape a character’s personality and traits.
In early 2024, ZA/UM laid off a quarter of its staff and canceled a standalone expansion forDisco Elysium. Although a sequel or spin-off is unlikely to come to fruition, these two new studios promise to give players new adventures in a similar style to that of one of thebest isometric RPGsin recent times.
Disco Elysium
WHERE TO PLAY
Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is the definitive edition of the groundbreaking role playing game.You’re a detective with a unique skill system at your disposal and a whole city block to carve your path across. Interrogate unforgettable characters, crack murders, or take bribes. Become a hero or an absolute disaster of a human being.Full voice acting.All of the city’s beautiful people are brought to life with full English voiceover. Play characters against each other, try to help them, or fall hopelessly in love as each word is spoken to you with the appropriate accent and emotion.New political vision quests.Face the reality of your worldview as your political compass leads you down new paths. Discover more citizens, a whole extra area, and monumental sights as you leave an even bigger mark on the world by chasing your dreams.Unprecedented freedom of choice.Intimidate, sweet-talk, resort to violence, write poetry, sing karaoke, dance like a beast, or solve the meaning of life. Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is the most faithful representation of desktop role playing ever attempted in video games.Countless tools for role playing. Mix and match from 24 wildly different skills. Develop a personal style with over 80 clothing items. Wield 14 tools from guns to flashlights to a boombox, or pour yourself a cocktail of 6 different psychoactive substances. Develop your character even further with 60 wild thoughts to think – with the detective’s Thought Cabinet.A revolutionary dialogue system with unforgettable characters.The world is alive with real people, not extras. Ask probing questions, make insightful observations, or express your wildest desires as you play cop or something completely different. Disco Elysium’s revolutionary dialogue system lets you do almost anything.Carve your unique path across the city.Explore, manipulate, collect tare, or become a millionaire in an open world unlike anything you’ve seen before. The city of Revachol is yours for the taking, one small piece at a time. From the streets to the beaches – and beyond.Hard boiled, hard core.Death, sex, taxes, and disco – nothing is off the table. Revachol is a real place with real challenges. Solve a massive murder investigation, or relax and kick back with sprawling side-cases. The detective decides, the citizens abide.
