Despite its critically acclaimed launch roughly five years ago, Disco Elysium still carries a peculiar stigma. The groundbreaking role-playing game received widespread acclaim upon its release, praised by both critics and players for its rich RPG mechanics, exceptional storytelling, and masterfully crafted dark, melancholic world. I must admit that I genuinely enjoyed the music even more.
Dissension among developers and the publishing division has fostered a toxic work environment, leading many to fear that a game of Disco Elysium’s caliber will never be created again. Or will we?
While it’s true that some key staff are missing from the new indie developer’s project, which pays homage to DE’s memorable qualities, this endeavour still boasts a distinctly Disco-like vibe. Notably, the team includes many of the original contributors who worked on the iconic game, albeit not all three main leads: Robert Kurvitz, Aleksander Rostov, and Helen Hindpere.
According to a recent press release, the studio boasts a team of over a dozen experienced developers, including personnel who worked on the original Disco Elysium and its unannounced sequel. The workforce is drawing on expertise from across the business, including veterans from renowned studios such as Bungie, Rockstar, and Courageous at Night, whose work on games like Yes, Your Grace may be familiar to many.
The debut role-playing game from Longdue delves into the intricate dynamics between the conscious and subconscious realms, where the visible and invisible forces converge in a delicate dance of awareness. Without revealing the intricate workings of one’s subconscious, can we unravel the enigma of a world where choices reverberate between the protagonist’s inner realm and external environment, as gamers embark on a thrilling adventure through a dynamic landscape shaped by both internal and external forces.
If you cherished the innovative work of The Thought Cupboard in the critically acclaimed Disco Elysium, you’re likely to appreciate the psychogeographic RPG mechanics being developed by Longdue, where every decision has a profound impact on both the game’s world and its inhabitants. As the narrative unfolds, boundaries between thoughtscapes and settings dissolve, converging in a perpetual dance of creation and destruction, where primary characters navigate an ever-shifting tapestry of storytelling. Color me intrigued.
The press release undoubtedly outlines all the relevant matters requiring my attention. Noting its ambition to craft video games that evoke emotional and intellectual resonance, Longdue aims to establish itself as a studio that consistently delivers exceptional experiences with a focus on depth and narrative integrity. As the starting point for Longdue’s evolution into a reputable brand within the realm of role-playing games.
Funded by non-public traders from the tech world, it’s unclear what drives these individuals’ interest in supporting the studio, particularly given their collective enthusiasm for Studio ZA/UM. Individuals blessed with immense wealth often unwittingly create obstacles for creatives, who may struggle to navigate their perceived influence. Who’d have thought it, ey?
Despite reservations, I’m genuinely excited about this prospect. Few recent video games offer the same level of narrative complexity and mechanical depth as Disco Elysium; Citizen Sleeper and Pentiment come close, but they don’t quite scratch the same itch. Disco Elysium, I’m not alone in considering, stands out as a singular entity.
Don’t well-crafted problems remain open-ended, inviting further exploration and refinement, rather than being neatly wrapped up in a bow? The implosion of the Disco Elysium project following its release was a tangled web of personal and professional turmoil, marked by secrecy, heartbreak, and a lingering sense of disappointment that left all parties involved reeling. The key individuals driving the initial sport’s development at Studio ZA/UM parted ways with the developer in 2021, comprising Kurvitz, Rostov, and Hindpere – their departure ultimately derailing plans for a sequel.
Earlier last year, we discovered that another spin-off game set within the same universe was terminated. Rumours persist that a Disco Elysium sequel or spin-off from Studio ZA/UM is unlikely to materialise, leaving fans bereft of further adventures in Revachols.
Regardless of the circumstances, engaging Longdue would likely be our best chance at achieving something of significance. I will closely monitor this situation and provide updates as soon as I receive any new information.
