Disco Elysium wasn`t merely a game; it was a phenomenon. A sprawling narrative tapestry woven with unique mechanics, profound philosophical depth, and a world dripping with personality, it left an indelible mark on the RPG landscape. Yet, its story behind the scenes proved almost as dramatic as the in-game adventures of Harrier “Harry” Du Bois. Following a turbulent internal split within ZA/UM, the original studio, its key creative forces embarked on new journeys, scattering across several nascent ventures.
The question isn`t *if* we`ll see spiritual successors to Disco Elysium, but *how many* and, crucially, *from whom*. This article delves into the fragmented landscape of post-Disco Elysium development, sifting through whispers and official announcements to reveal what`s truly on the horizon. From established teams leveraging existing resources to ambitious new collectives, let`s explore the future of narrative-driven RPGs from the minds that gave us Revachol.
ZA/UM: The Studio That Remains – Introducing “Zero Parades”
The original ZA/UM, albeit with a significantly restructured team, was arguably in the strongest position to deliver a follow-up. Retaining executive producer Tõnis Haavel and other key talents like writer Justin Keenan and animator Eduardo Rubio, and now led by the business-minded president Edward Tomaszewski, the studio pivoted towards a more streamlined development process. Less of the freewheeling creative chaos that characterized its early days, perhaps, but certainly more structured and, one might argue, efficient.
Their upcoming title, Zero Parades, steps into the gritty world of espionage. Players will embody Herschel Wilk, a spy whose touch turns objects to ash — a rather literal interpretation of “burning bridges,” one might say. Haunted by a past mission that decimated her team, Wilk seeks redemption through a mysterious new assignment. The premise evokes the grounded, character-driven tension of spy thrillers like “Slow Horses,” trading philosophical introspection for high-stakes intrigue.
- Core Gameplay: Expect an isometric perspective, familiar skill-check mechanics, and a distinctive art style that echoes Disco Elysium.
- Unique Feature: A “pressure system” promises to track the protagonist`s physical and psychological state. Player choices will dynamically influence skill acquisition and can potentially incur penalties for actions contrary to Wilk`s evolving ideology, offering an intriguing evolution of Disco Elysium`s internal dialogue system.
- Key Personnel: Tõnis Haavel (Exec. Producer), Justin Keenan (Writer), Eduardo Rubio (Animator), Anton Vill (Art Director), Siim Sinamäe (Episodic Author).
- Anticipated Release: 2026.
With substantial resources and a more corporate-aligned structure, ZA/UM`s “Zero Parades” appears to be the most advanced project, aiming for a relatively near-term release.
Dark Math Games: Antarctic Mysteries with “Tangerine Antarctic”
Formed by Timo Albert, a motion designer who worked on Disco Elysium, and including Kaur Kender (an early ZA/UM investor), Dark Math Games comprises a smaller, roughly 20-person team, about half of whom are ex-ZA/UM developers. Their initial vision was very much a sci-fi iteration of Disco Elysium, but their project has undergone a significant transformation.
Once known by a more generic working title, the game is now officially christened Tangerine Antarctic, named after the hotel where the main action unfolds. Set in a 2086 Antarctic ski resort, players assume the role of a patrol operative investigating a crime alongside a partner. The developers promise a rich, non-linear detective narrative and an unusual role-playing system. Crucially, they aim for a more lighthearted tone than the often-somber adventures of Harry Du Bois – perhaps a welcome departure for some who found Revachol a touch too bleak.
- Evolution: Interestingly, the game has shifted from an isometric view to a third-person RPG perspective, a bold departure from its spiritual predecessor.
- Key Personnel: Timo Albert (Motion Designer/Art Lead), Kaur Kender (Exec. Producer/Investor).
- Anticipated Release: Not yet announced.
This shift in perspective and tone signals a desire to innovate beyond direct imitation, potentially appealing to a broader audience while retaining narrative depth.
Longdue: A “Psycho-Geographical” CRPG by Industry Veterans
Longdue, established by tech entrepreneur Riaz Moola (a Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 recipient), is perhaps the most star-studded of the independent ventures, drawing talent from across the industry. Alongside Disco Elysium veterans like writer Martin Luiga and gameplay mechanic designer Piotr Sobolewski, the team boasts Pavel Blaszczak (composer for The Witcher 3), Lenval Brown (the distinctive voice of Martin from Disco Elysium), and Ben Babbitt (co-writer of Kentucky Route Zero). This impressive roster has garnered significant crowdfunding support, indicating strong community belief in their vision.
Their untitled project is an isometric CRPG with a strong emphasis on story and player agency. It casts players as a chaotic, self-destructive outcast journalist in a mining town on the precipice of collapse and rebirth. The core innovation is its “psycho-geographical” element, where the environment itself reacts and changes based on player choices, promising an unprecedented level of world reactivity and a truly unique experience tailored to individual playthroughs.
- Core Concept: Deep, branching dialogues, intricately crafted characters, and a dynamic world shaped by player decisions in a “psycho-geographical” setting.
- Key Personnel: Martin Luiga (Writer/Character Creator), Piotr Sobolewski (Gameplay Mechanics), Riaz Moola (Founder), Pavel Blaszczak (Composer), Lenval Brown (Voice Actor), Ben Babbitt (Co-Author).
- Anticipated Release: 2028.
Longdue`s project feels like a direct intellectual heir to Disco Elysium`s innovative spirit, pushing the boundaries of environmental storytelling and player influence within the classic isometric CRPG framework.
Summer Eternal: A Cooperative Vision for Game Development
Argo Tuulik, another writer from Disco Elysium, founded Summer Eternal with an ambitious vision for both game development and studio structure. Initially hampered by a legal injunction stemming from a dispute with Longdue (which, thankfully, lifted in April 2025), Summer Eternal is now poised to move forward. The team includes fellow ex-ZA/UM writers Dora Klincič and Olga Moskvina, and artists Anastasia Ivanova and Michael Oswell.
Their declared philosophy is a cooperative structure, where “every worker is a board member,” aiming for a truly horizontal economic model. While this remains a manifesto for now (Tuulik is currently the sole registered director), it underscores a commitment to a different, potentially more equitable, development process. Details on their RPG project are still sparse, given the recent lifting of legal constraints, but the focus on narrative and character is a safe bet.
- Studio Philosophy: A worker-centric, cooperative development model emphasizing shared ownership and decision-making.
- Key Personnel: Argo Tuulik (Founder/Writer), Dora Klincič (Writer), Olga Moskvina (Writer), Anastasia Ivanova (Concept Artist), Michael Oswell (Graphic Designer).
- Anticipated Release: Unannounced (development is in very early stages following legal resolution).
Summer Eternal represents not just a new game, but a potentially new paradigm for game development itself, reflecting some of the anti-establishment sentiment that permeated Disco Elysium.
Red Info: The Original Trio`s Next Chapter?
Perhaps the most anticipated, yet least revealed, project comes from the “original trio” themselves: Robert Kurvitz (author), Aleksander Rostov (artist), and Helen Hindpere (key author). After their contentious departure from ZA/UM, they co-founded Red Info, with investment from Chinese tech giant NetEase. Their presence alone, the core creative engine behind Disco Elysium, is enough to ignite fervent speculation among fans worldwide.
Currently, official information regarding Red Info`s game development is non-existent. While the potential for a direct spiritual successor to Disco Elysium from these foundational creative forces is immense, they`ve remained notably tight-lipped. This silence is likely due to navigating complex legal and creative pathways after the high-profile ZA/UM split. Until they break their silence, Red Info remains an enigmatic, powerful promise in the world of narrative RPGs.
- Key Personnel: Robert Kurvitz (Author), Aleksander Rostov (Artist), Helen Hindpere (Key Author).
- Anticipated Release: Unknown.
This studio holds the most direct lineage to Disco Elysium`s unique vision, but its actual output remains a tantalizing mystery – a truly excellent setup for a future exposé, don`t you think?
The Unfolding Saga: More Than Just “Disco Elysium 2”
The saga of Disco Elysium`s creators is proving to be as convoluted and compelling as the game itself. What began as a single, groundbreaking RPG has fragmented into a multitude of ambitions, each studio striving to channel the unique magic that captivated players worldwide. While “Disco Elysium 2” in a traditional sense might never materialize from a single source, the spirit of its innovation lives on through these diverse and fascinating projects.
From ZA/UM`s structured espionage tale to Longdue`s reactive “psycho-geography” and the tantalizing silence of Red Info, fans of rich narrative, deep role-playing, and truly unique worlds have much to look forward to. The coming years promise a fascinating exploration of how different creative interpretations of a shared legacy can push the boundaries of the CRPG genre. The only certainty is that the conversation around these games will be as rich and varied as their potential worlds.
Finley Holt