A new development studio named Longdue is being established to create a "spiritual successor" to the critically acclaimed 2019 computer role-playing game, Disco Elysium. The studio, currently made up of 12 members, includes several individuals who contributed to the original title as well as its abandoned sequel. The team also features former employees from industry giants such as Bungie, known for Destiny and Halo, and Rockstar, creators of Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.
The upcoming project is described in a press release as a "psychogeographic RPG" that delves into the intricate relationship between the conscious and subconscious mind, as well as the visible and invisible elements of existence. Players will find themselves in a world where their choices significantly impact both their character's psyche and the surrounding environment, navigating through a landscape that evolves in response to various internal and external influences.
Disco Elysium, the Bafta-winning title, casts players as a troubled, alcoholic detective in a city still marked by the trauma of a long-ago conflict. Lauded as one of the best computer RPGs to date, the game has maintained a prominent position on PC Gamer's list of the top 100 PC games for several years. Its unflinching narrative touches on topics ranging from racism and socialist ideologies to deep philosophical inquiries, earning it a dedicated following thanks to its sharp writing and thought-provoking themes.
The future of Disco Elysium has been in jeopardy for several years, stemming from internal conflicts at its developer, ZA/UM. In 2022, several key figures, including lead designer and writer Robert Kurvitz, writer Helen Hindpere, and lead artist Aleksander Rostov, alleged that they were removed from the company against their will. Meanwhile, ZA/UM asserted that they were terminated due to misconduct. This situation escalated into a series of legal disputes, which were resolved in 2023. However, the studio faced further challenges as it laid off a quarter of its workforce earlier this year. Plans for a sequel and an expansion for Disco Elysium were initially underway at ZA/UM but have since been scrapped.
Although Longdue has not disclosed specific names from the original Disco Elysium team who are part of the new project, it has confirmed that Kurvitz and Rostov will not be involved. As the gaming community awaits more details, the potential for Longdue's game to capture the same captivating essence that defined Disco Elysium remains a topic of keen interest among fans and industry observers alike.