Every Disco Elysium Successor Studio Explained

Every Disco Elysium Successor Studio Explained

As a dedicated fan who has spent countless hours immersed in the intricate world of Disco Elysium, I can’t help but feel a sense of dismay at the current state of affairs surrounding its development. The game, with its rich dialogue and thought-provoking themes, has left an indelible mark on me, and the idea of a successor or sequel is nothing short of exhilarating.


Disco Elysium gained recognition across the independent gaming community due to several factors. Notably, it’s renowned for its rich dialogue and profound thematic concepts. Regrettably, the team behind Disco Elysium reportedly started experiencing internal strife shortly after the game’s launch.

It seems that the tale of Disco Elysium didn’t end there. The studio originally responsible for it, ZA/UM, has been mentioned, and another studio has emerged, asserting it is the true continuation of ZA/UM’s original vision. However, this newcomer enters a field already bustling with competition.

Disco Elysium Developers Have Split Into Four Opposing Successor Studios

ZA/UM Crafted a Unique Indie Masterpiece with Disco Elysium

As I dive back into the world of gaming, four different studios are now stepping up to carry on ZA/UM’s unique ethos, each with their own vision for a successor or sequel to Disco Elysium. But let me tell you, no matter who’s in charge, replicating what made Disco Elysium special might just be the ultimate challenge.

Experiencing the narrative of Disco Elysium is frequently likened to reading a captivating book, and indeed, this isn’t meant as a criticism. The dialogue is always sharp and clever, while the characters are so unique that they rarely fail to engage players. It’s easy to see why fans might anticipate a sequel, but the recent division within its development team has left its future somewhat uncertain.

The Newest Studios Battling to Create a Spiritual Successor to Disco Elysium

A fresh team comprised of ex-ZA/UM staffers has established a new company known as Dark Math Games. Simultaneously, they unveiled their project titled “XXX Nightshift“, which appears to be an attempt to rekindle the film noir ambiance reminiscent of “Disco Elysium“. Interestingly, this isn’t the first studio to pursue such a direction, and surprisingly enough, it wasn’t the only one introduced on the day of its announcement.

It appears that Dark Math Games attempted to outshine a rival studio named Longdue, which had entered the scene mere hours before. Interestingly, Longdue is composed of ex-employees from ZA/UM, just like Dark Math Games, and they too laid claim to the legacy of Disco Elysium. Although Longdue seems to have a slightly smaller team compared to Dark Math Games, both new studios are tackling much larger projects.

The Dispute Over Disco Elysium is an Ironic Chapter in its Legacy

The latest successors have been surpassed by Red Info, a studio that originally split from ZA/UM. It’s crucial to mention that ZA/UM is not entirely dismantled but has faced some controversy, which has muted its influence in this discussion. Additionally, there’s an ongoing legal dispute between ZA/UM and Red Info concerning who owns the rights to Disco Elysium as an intellectual property.

Disco Elysium, fervently conveys political views leaning towards the Left, and ZA/UM proudly identifies as a Communist game studio. This adds an ironic twist to the recent conflict, as squabbles among Leftists are often humorously depicted within these communities. Interestingly, Disco Elysium frequently comments on the self-destruction of Communist movements due to minor disagreements and rigorous purity tests. Given that this historical observation plays a crucial role in its themes, it makes the current situation an ironic reflection of the message Disco Elysium aimed to convey.

In a recent development, Dark Math Games has become the fourth studio to assert ownership over the popular game Disco Elysium, leaving uncertainty about whether more studios might follow suit. Joining this lineup are two other successor studios, as well as the original developers still at ZA/UM. This ongoing disagreement has brought amusement to many fans of the game, but it could potentially raise concerns for the game’s future and its lasting impact.

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2024-10-16 22:04