ZA/UM Reportedly Cancels Disco Elysium Expansion, at Risk of Lay-Offs

15.02.2024 - 17:27 / ign.com / Ryan Dinsdale / Disco Elysium

Disco Elysium developer ZA/UM has reportedly cancelled a standalone expansion for the game, leaving several staff members at risk of losing their jobs.

Sources close to the matter told Video Games by GLHF that around 24 employees, or roughly one quarter of all staff, are at risk of redundancy. Staff who worked on a game codenamed Project X7, which was allegedly the Disco Elysium expansion, are the most at risk of being laid off, according to GLHF, such as 2D, 3D, and technical artists alongside production, IT, and animation employees.

GLHF also obtained a message allegedly sent to staff from CEO Ilmar Kompus. "Despite concerted efforts over the past eight months by our management team and the X7 disciplines, following consultation with our management team, I have taken the difficult decision to cancel X7," the letter said. "This decision, unlike the pause on Project P1, will unfortunately most likely lead to redundancies within our studio."

GLHF said Project P1 is a new sci-fi game currently on pause at the studio. A Disco Elysium sequel, Project Y12, was allegedly cancelled in 2022, leaving just two projects in active development at the studio. One is believed to be related to Disco Elysium, according to GLHF.

"With the cancellation of X7 we are proposing to reshape our team to support our two remaining games," Kompus added. "This adjustment will almost certainly lead to redundancies, mostly affecting the X7 team but also our non-development teams and non-X7 projects.

"We are approaching this sensitive issue with the utmost care and respect," he continued. "During this transition period, let’s maintain professionalism and support each other, upholding our studio values."

Disco Elysium is a story-driven isometric role playing game which released in 2019 to incredibly positive reviews, followed up with a "Final Cut" version which earned a 10/10 from IGN. "The Final Cut elevates Disco Elysium from an already phenomenal RPG to a true must-play masterpiece," we said.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.