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This Subreddit/Channel is dedicated to thoughts spawned by playing Disco Elysium. Managed by @TheKindlyOne. Powered by @reddit2telegram.
Let’s get back to the case, Detective.
https://redd.it/1ly4v55
@r_DiscoElysium
What was your first death/gameover from?
I know alot of people got the heart attack from the light bulb. >! My first death was actually the failed authority check with titus where you commit suicide. !< i genuinely thought i was gonna get somewhere with that when I did it.
https://redd.it/1lxv1yq
@r_DiscoElysium
the people at the function will never know how deep and vast my soul is
https://redd.it/1lxua6v
@r_DiscoElysium
Cr: Jamrock Hobo
https://redd.it/1lxs3oq
@r_DiscoElysium
Beat Measurehead, how do I get through the door here?
https://redd.it/1lxo9pq
@r_DiscoElysium
Giuthais for their assistance!))
https://redd.it/1lxnvwy
@r_DiscoElysium
Oswell](https://x.com/_michaeloswell_?lang=en) (ZA/UM graphic design)
* [Lenval Brown](https://x.com/lenvalb?lang=en) (Trailer Narration, Voice acting for all 24 skills & Thought Cabinet) \*Contractor
*What is Summer Eternal working on?*
As of the creation of this post (July 11th 2025,) Summer Eternal has not revealed anything publicly about what they plan to work on next. Their website states that they will be focusing on a Role-Playing Game. After revealing their studio on October 11th 2024, Argo and Dora were withheld from work due to an injunction placed by Riaz Moola, a key player in Longdue Games. They were released from this injunction as of April 1st, so it’s possible we’ll hear more about what they have going on soon.
Summer Eternal has a newsletter that can be signed up for on their website [here.](https://summereternal.com/) You may also read their dev blog [here.](https://summereternal.com/blog)
# LONGDUE GAMES
*Who’s working at Longdue Games?*
* [Martin Luiga](https://x.com/verekuningas) (Editing)
* [Piotr Sobolewski](https://piotrsobolewski.itch.io/) (under Knights of Unity, credited as “Additional Development”)
* Lenval Brown (Trailer Narration, Voice acting for all 24 skills & Thought Cabinet) \*Contractor
*What is Longdue Games working on?*
Hopetown. You can find it online somewhere.
# ZA/UM (NOW)
*Who’s still working at ZA/UM?*
* Tõnis Haavel (Executive Producer)
* Ilmar Kompus (Corporate, Financing, Legal, Accounting)
* Justin Keenan (Editing)
* [Kaspar Tamsalu](https://www.artstation.com/kaspartamsalu) (Art)
* [Anton Vill](https://www.instagram.com/ant4d/?hl=en) (Additional Art)
* [Jim Ashilevi](https://www.instagram.com/jim_ash/?hl=en) (Voice Over Director)
* [Siim Sinamae](https://nebulas.sfwa.org/nominees/siim-sinamae/) (Additional Writing)
* There is likely more here that I’m missing. It’s rather hard to find all of them without resorting to some stalker-ish methods. My extent is a quick glance at the hellhole that is LinkedIn- if I can’t find it there, then I can’t confirm/deny who’s where.
*What is ZA/UM working on?*
ZA/UM is releasing Disco Elysium Mobile on August 5th 2025- a “mobile” experience for Disco Elysium that is set to release in chapters. The first two chapters will be free, and the full game will cost $10 USD. It is only on Android devices at launch.
ZA/UM is also working on another game that they have titled Project C4, an espionage RPG. You can watch the teaser for the game [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz9apwrMKi8). ZA/UM was quite gutsy and left their comment section open, where you may feel free to engage in discussion with other fans of Disco Elyisum and share your thoughts about the newest project.
# OKAY, SO, WHAT HAPPENED?
~~Oh god don't ask me~~ I will try to explain this briefly, and it's probably not going to be the best. I will also link some further reading in case I do not do a good job at explaining. I highly recommend reading them to get the fuller picture. Or at least try to read them. There's a lot, right?
**TL;DR-** The original creatives were forced out for one reason or another. Corporate/workplace hostility, greedy shareholders and lawsuits were abundant. Most, if not all, of the top level creatives on Disco Elysium no longer work there because of one of the reasons listed. There have been several lawsuits that have come out of this, either to win back the IP they have created, or to stop ex-employees from working on other things. It’s become a long-standing legal battle that, unfortunately, gets boiled down into “petty drama.” It’s another story of suits and money profiting off of the backs of creatives who make the product they wish to sell to the masses, and fuck over the creatives when they decide they’re done with them.
ZA/UM is holding onto the IP so that the original creators may no longer use it in almost any capacity, bastardizing it with things like a “photo mode” or “a Disco Elysium for the TikTok generation.” Overall, it’s a very insulting thing to have done to the original creators; steal their IP, profit off of it,
DE-style game mechanic idea: a “skill” that kills you
Consider a bonus skill, Death Drive, that levels up against your will and can end the game if it gets too high.
A shower thought I’ve had:
This game’s depictions of Harry’s struggles with mental illness feel very authentic to me, as someone with bipolar. But with the exception perhaps of electrochemistry, the skills are never harmful on their own; if anything, they keep Harry alive. That’s different from my experience; my own Conceptualization and Inland Empire, so to speak, are tied directly to my urge to self-harm in various ways, such that one inevitably worsens the other. Go too far to either “pole” and life gets very difficult.
The game as such doesn’t force you to choose between better skills and staying alive, unless you way overdo it on drugs or alcohol.
I think it would be interesting to add a suicidality mechanic in the form of a skill that you can’t directly level up or down, but which can be affected by any number of stat buffs the same way any other skill can. If it gets above a certain threshold, the game will end automatically at your next failed check. So it is possible, theoretically, to walk around with maxed-out Death Drive indefinitely, but extremely risky… which feels about accurate to me. But keeping it sufficiently low means forgoing other perks and keeping your substance use in check.
(More darkly, I also like the idea of Death Drive speaking to the player, if only occasionally and in a whisper… just to remind them he’s always there.)
https://redd.it/1lxeun2
@r_DiscoElysium
Arymes, the Archivist.
https://redd.it/1lxd1rw
@r_DiscoElysium
I can’t be the only one who sees the similarities right?(MASSIVE SPOILERS FOR CYBERPUNK EDGERUNNERS AND DISCO ELYSIUM)
https://redd.it/1lx87po
@r_DiscoElysium
When [Communism] rolls a 12 in Hand/Eye Coordination
https://redd.it/1lx1hwe
@r_DiscoElysium
Disco Elysium x Balatro 🤡♦️🪩✨ Fanart by me (Friendly reminder that I'm taking Disco Elysium-inspired commissions)
https://preview.redd.it/plw3lsoud4cf1.png?width=3000&format=png&auto=webp&s=12d6fd49e649fd7998ebba911a596647382c233a
https://preview.redd.it/p9ppo84xd4cf1.png?width=2000&format=png&auto=webp&s=fff2e11ad6708db7ae42136a38a3544b5f4df32c
https://redd.it/1lwpp4t
@r_DiscoElysium
Never occurred to me Kim would comment on NOT changing your clothes
https://youtu.be/NLY9yemlXfg?si=e-LxU-Y8TwJL_ZO5
https://redd.it/1lwf9ds
@r_DiscoElysium
get stickbugged idiot
https://redd.it/1ly03vb
@r_DiscoElysium
Behold, Disco Avesium
https://redd.it/1lxujhz
@r_DiscoElysium
Underrated Skill:Half-Light
https://redd.it/1lxs57u
@r_DiscoElysium
Spotted in Baltimore, MD 🫡
https://redd.it/1lxo09c
@r_DiscoElysium
[POEM] title: Be Drunk By: Charles Baudelaire 1821-1867
https://redd.it/1lxm2el
@r_DiscoElysium
and tell them to get fucked. If you see people say “don’t support ZA/UM, they stole the game” or other similar rhetoric, that is why.
>“It's the people on top – the motherf\*\*\*\*s in sailing shoes and bowties – that f\*\*\*\*d Harry, f\*\*\*\*d Kim, f\*\*\*\*d Robert, Rostov, Helen, Olga, Cash, f\*\*\*\*d Elysium, f\*\*\*\*d you and me too. They are not artists, they are professional f\*\*\*\*\*s.” - Argo Tuulik
This is honestly a **very** surface level explanation, but it has also been discussed ad nauseam by people who are much better at words than I am. I’d like to link a few different things for you to read to better understand the subject, for your own opinions to be formed.
[martinluiga/the-dissolution-of-the-za-um-cultural-association-779788390a03" rel="nofollow">https://medium.com/@martinluiga/the-dissolution-of-the-za-um-cultural-association-779788390a03](martinluiga/the-dissolution-of-the-za-um-cultural-association-779788390a03" rel="nofollow">https://medium.com/@martinluiga/the-dissolution-of-the-za-um-cultural-association-779788390a03)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/HobbyDrama/comments/1ke66ti/video\_games\_the\_rise\_and\_fall\_and\_of\_zaum/](https://www.reddit.com/r/HobbyDrama/comments/1ke66ti/video_games_the_rise_and_fall_and_of_zaum/)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/DiscoElysium/comments/1asf3qs/how\_zaum\_and\_people\_make\_games\_manipulated\_the/](https://www.reddit.com/r/DiscoElysium/comments/1asf3qs/how_zaum_and_people_make_games_manipulated_the/)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUUW1-8fUNE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUUW1-8fUNE)
[https://youtu.be/LJwv8BpFQHs?si=Y5ooJjY00qKhB\_Nt](https://youtu.be/LJwv8BpFQHs?si=Y5ooJjY00qKhB_Nt) (Interview with Argo & Dora, former ZA/UM and current Summer Eternal)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hhmdcLqzpQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hhmdcLqzpQ)
# WHICH ONE SHOULD I SUPPORT? WHICH ONE IS GOOD?
Support whichever one you want. Play the ones that look the most interesting. You can do literally whatever you want forever. I'm not your mother. Everyone has an opinion here, so feel free to look around or ask for those.
Me, personally, I have eyes on Summer Eternal & Red Info as the writers are what made this game really come alive, but I think all of them would be interesting to look out for, for one reason or another.
# ITCHING FOR MORE DISCO ELYSIUM? MAYBE YOU WANT SOMETHING SIMILAR, NOT EXACT SAME?
Here are some titles that are either inspired by Disco Elysium, loved for similar reasons to Disco Elysium, play like Disco Elysium or were even used in the inspirations of Disco Elysium. Please note that some of these came out before Disco Elysium, and are likely just what people recommend when asking for games "similar to Disco Elysium." This may not be a complete list and might change.
(This list was compiled by u/Giuthais!)
**Already released:**
* Citizen Sleeper 1 & 2,
* Gamedec,
* Lovely Lady RPG,
* Pentiment,
* Scarlet Hollow (early access),
* Slay The Princess: The Pristine Cut,
* Sovereign Syndicate,
* Suzerain,
* The Bookwalker: Thief of Tales
**Demo available:**
* Clam Man 2: Open Mic,
* Esoteric Ebb,
* Give Up The Ghost (closed),
* Glasshouse,
* Hollow Home,
* Livber: Smoke and Mirrors,
* Rue Valley,
* Scarlet Hollow,
* The Demons Told Me To Make This Game
**In development:**
* Mandrake,
* Pera Coda,
* Shore of Jord,
* The Conformist,
* Travelling at Night,
**Disco-adjacent:**
* Fallout 1 & 2,
* Kentucky Route Zero,
* Night in the Woods,
* Nikola Tesla: War of the Currents (Created by Dora Klindžić)
* Pathologic 1, 2, 3,
* Planescape: Torment,
* Zarya
# SOURCES
[https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14189378](https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14189378)
[https://www.gamesindustry.biz/another-group-of-ex-disco-elysium-developers-found-dark-math-games](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/another-group-of-ex-disco-elysium-developers-found-dark-math-games)
[https://summereternal.com/](https://summereternal.com/)
[https://x.com/summer\_eternal\_](https://x.com/summer_eternal_)
[https://www.linkedin.com/company/zaumstudio/?originalSubdomain=uk](https://www.linkedin.com/company/zaumstudio/?originalSubdomain=uk)
^((Thank you to Dora K @ SE, The41stPrecinct and
"Spiritual Successors" Info & FAQ
# INTRODUCTION
In another poor attempt of mine to help newcomers and curious minds figure out what the fuck is going on in this Subreddit, I’ve put together an incredibly brief guide on what’s going on with these “spiritual successors” that everyone keeps talking about. The companies I’ve listed below are confirmed to have ex-ZA/UM employees that have worked on Disco Elysium in some capacity.
Please note, these lists may change at any time. I’ll do my best to keep it up-to-date. ***Roles in parentheses are from Disco Elysium's credits, and does not necessarily mean that is what they're working for in their current position.***
^(Also, please note: The links to the devs are only for reference and should not be used to harass or bombard these devs for any reason whatsoever. I simply provide them as a means to follow and keep up to date on what the devs are doing. We don't typically allow links from X because that site is shit from a butt- unfortunately, some of these devs are most active on there. So sorry.)
**QUICK LIST:**
* Red Info Ltd.
* [Summer Eternal](https://summereternal.com/)
* [Dark Math Games](https://xxxnightshift.game/)
* Longdue Games
* ["New" ZA/UM](https://zaumstudio.com/)
# RED INFO LTD
*Who’s working at Red Info Ltd.?*
* [Robert Kurvitz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kurvitz) (Lead Writer, Lead Designer)
* [Aleksander Rostov](https://www.artstation.com/rostovjanka) (Art and Design, registered under Sander Taal)
* Helen Hindpere (Writer)
*What is Red Info Ltd. Working on?*
Nothing is known about what Red Info is doing. There hasn’t been an official announcement of anything, let alone the studio’s existence. There was a trademark with the name “Corinthians” found registered by Red Info, but besides that, there is no other ~~red~~ info.
Red Info does not have any sort of social media or functioning website to follow at this time. This will change to include website, social media, or other launch info when it is revealed. Stay tuned!
# DARK MATH GAMES
*Who’s working at Dark Math Games?*
* [Kaur Kender](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaur_Kender) (Executive Producer, Publishing)
* [Timo Albert](https://www.instagram.com/thetimoalbert/) (Publishing)
* *Olga Moskvina did some consulting for DMG and editing for their comic, but she does consulting for another company and doesn’t “work” for DMG.*
*What is Dark Math Games working on?*
Dark Math Games revealed [XXX Nightshift](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3261450/XXX_NIGHTSHIFT/), a detective CRPG based in a very cyber futuristic environment. The game’s flavor text is as follows:
>“You’re a Patrol Forces Op on a holiday weekend at World’s End Ski Resort, Mount Hope, Antarctica. But things are about to go sideways.
>Now you’re stranded at the off-season resort with unforgettable guests, wild parties, and mad secrets. The world of XXX NIGHTSHIFT is your oyster — crack it open with evolved role-playing systems.”
You may read more about the game, see screenshots and get updates by going to their website [here.](https://xxx-nightshift.xsolla.site/) The game is open for pre-order directly on the website. They also have some form of visual media [here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YVu3PyiPmIHl8N9vObDierb3wLhTQu6d/view) that you want to witness. **Please note that the linked comic is somewhat NSFW.** What do you expect with such a flavorful name like XXX Nightshift, seriously?
# SUMMER ETERNAL
*Who’s part of Summer Eternal?*
* [Argo Tuulik](https://x.com/mixedmartialarx) (Writer)
* [Dora Klindžić](https://x.com/doraspacexplora?lang=en) (Not credited on Disco Elysium but has previously worked at ZA/UM, and was involved with writing the cancelled Cuno spin-off, Locust City)
* Olga Moskvina (Writer, consultant through Digimancy)
* [Anastasiia Ivanova](https://www.artstation.com/aseagull) (Not credit on Disco Elysium but has previously worked at ZA/UM as a senior concept artist)
* [Andrus Laansalu](https://nyydiskultuur.artun.ee/en/people/andrus-laansalu/) (Sound Design)
* [Michael
Kim on charcoal
https://redd.it/1lxe365
@r_DiscoElysium
Throwback to a Question I asked DE Creator
https://redd.it/1lxgwzt
@r_DiscoElysium
Is there a way to get past measurehead without being racist?
New to Disco Elysium, just started playing last night. Got up to the morning of day 2. But I wonder if there’s a way I can get access to the docks without making Kim upset 😔 might start my run over if there is
https://redd.it/1lwzwzj
@r_DiscoElysium
Harry's wife irl:
https://redd.it/1lwyutq
@r_DiscoElysium
My Harry card was very warmly received, so I made some more. Behold, Kim
https://redd.it/1lwt5h2
@r_DiscoElysium
Anyone know what their response is to the third option? I was watching a playthrough on YouTube and the option made me laugh so hard but he didn't choose it. I don't have a save close to that conversation to see for myself.
https://redd.it/1lwm61u
@r_DiscoElysium
What's the deal with all these spiritual Successors? And which studio actually has the original creators?
I am sorry but I am new to this controversy involving the OG creators vs ZA/UM studio.
And from what I read online, there are now four contenders to the title of Disco Elysium Creators. And each studio is working on a spiritual Successor to Disco Elysium.
I want to know which of them is actually legit. If some of you can dish out some info.
https://redd.it/1lwipc9
@r_DiscoElysium
