ZA/UM
ZA/UM business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Escape a roundabout as a stoned tuk-tuk driver in Zero Parades' free Director’s Cut update, which will add about 40,000 new words to the RPG next month
ZA/UM is releasing a free Director's Cut update for its RPG Zero Parades on October 1st, adding approximately 40,000 words of new narrative content, including a new scene featuring the protagonist and an old friend in a stoned tuk-tuk. The update also includes completed English voice-overs, a new 'Backstage Mode' for a behind-the-scenes look at development, and various other quality-of-life improvements. This update coincides with the game's console release, following a period of studio drama and layoffs attributed to the game's commercial performance.
ZERO PARADES is Getting a Free Director’s Cut Update On October 1st, PS5 Version Out on November 3rd
ZA/UM announced that ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies will receive a free Director's Cut update on October 1st, adding substantial new material and features like a new Dramatic Encounter and a Backstage development peek. A PlayStation 5 version is also slated for release on November 3rd. The update includes technical enhancements such as ultrawide display support and controller remapping.
The Sunday Papers
This week's gaming news roundup highlights multiple laptop thefts at Gamescom 2026, impacting indie developers. Articles also explore the narrative depth of Grand Theft Auto 6's character dynamics, the evocative soundtrack of Disco Elysium, and a memorable performance in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3.
Supermassive Games are the latest studio to announce layoff plans, with 75 jobs at risk just three months after Directive 8020 launch
Supermassive Games has announced that it is beginning redundancy consultations for up to 75 employees, marking the studio's third round of layoffs in two years. This decision comes just three months after the launch of their latest horror game, Directive 8020. The studio cited the need for sustainability as the reason for the difficult decision, a move that mirrors broader trends of job cuts within the gaming industry.
Indie Game Bundle Aiding Laid-Off Developers Is Nearing $200,000 Raised
A Game Industry Hardship Fund bundle on Itch.io, created by Necrosoft Games director Brandon Sheffield and the United Videogame Workers, has raised nearly $200,000 to assist laid-off developers with living expenses. The bundle features 127 games, including titles like Skatebird and A Short Hike, with all proceeds going to affected individuals in the US and Canada. This initiative comes in response to widespread layoffs within the industry, with funds being distributed by the union.
New data suggests layoffs will affect 14,259 people by the end of 2026, up 78% from first forecast of the year
New data from the ASGC Games Industry Layoffs Tracker forecasts that job losses will reach 14,259 by the end of 2026, a significant increase from earlier projections. This trend indicates an acceleration in layoffs, with North America and Europe being the most affected regions. The projected numbers for 2026 are expected to surpass the total for 2024.
ZA/UM announces layoffs two months after the launch of Zero Parades
ZA/UM, the studio behind Disco Elysium, has announced layoffs affecting up to 32 employees. This news comes two months after the launch of their latest game, 'Disco Elysium: The Final Cut'.
Disco Elysium Dev ZA/UM Announces Layoffs Affecting Up to 32 Staff
Disco Elysium developer ZA/UM has announced layoffs affecting up to 32 staff. This news comes just two months after the studio launched its latest game, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies.
ZA/UM are set for more layoffs only two months after launching Zero Parades: For Dead Spies
ZA/UM is reportedly laying off over 30 employees, approximately one-third of its studio, just two months after the release of Zero Parades: For Dead Spies. The company cited the game's commercial performance as the reason for the layoffs, despite its critical acclaim. This follows previous controversies and the formation of the ZA/UM Workers' Alliance, the UK's first recognized video game union.
Layoffs hit ZA/UM after Zero Parades: For Dead Spies underperforms
RPG developer ZA/UM has laid off thirty-two employees, citing the underperformance of their recent game, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies. Despite critical acclaim, the game did not meet sales expectations. The article also touches on past controversies surrounding the studio's previous title, Disco Elysium.
ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies Studio Issues Redundancy and At-Risk Notices for Up to 32 Employees
ZA/UM, the studio behind ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies, has issued at-risk and redundancy notices to up to 32 employees due to the game's lack of commercial success. The company is consulting with its Workers' Alliance to assist those affected by the workforce reduction.
2 months after releasing Zero Parades, Studio ZA/UM is laying off employees: 'Its commercial performance has not enabled us to sustain a studio of our current size'
Studio ZA/UM has announced layoffs affecting up to 32 employees, citing the commercial performance of its recent game, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies. Despite critical acclaim, the game did not meet sales expectations, preventing the studio from sustaining its current size. This follows a history of internal turmoil and departures of key figures from its previous acclaimed title, Disco Elysium.
Controversial Disco Elysium studio plans 32 layoffs after latest RPG's underwhelming "commercial performance": "Our artistic standards remain unchanged"
Disco Elysium developer ZA/UM has announced layoffs affecting up to 32 employees due to the disappointing commercial performance of its latest RPG, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies. Despite the studio's internal turmoil and previous layoffs, ZA/UM states its artistic standards remain unchanged.
Zero Parades Dev Announces Layoffs Despite Game’s Critical Acclaim
Despite critical acclaim, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies developer ZA/UM has announced layoffs affecting up to 32 staffers due to the game's commercial performance. The studio stated that while the team's shape is changing, its artistic standards remain unchanged. This news comes amidst a wave of layoffs across the gaming industry, with companies like Xbox and Sony also making significant staff reductions.
22 trade union leaders have signed a letter joining the call for GTA 6 developer Rockstar to recognise the IWGB Game Workers union
Twenty-two trade union leaders have signed a letter urging Rockstar Games to recognize the IWGB Game Workers union. The letter, addressed to studio director Jennifer Kolbe and head of HR Rob Spampinato, emphasizes the right of all workers to unionize and calls on Rockstar to begin bargaining with the IWGB. This action follows reports of alleged crunch, a widening gender pay gap, and union-busting tactics at the Grand Theft Auto 6 developer.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
GTA 6 studio Rockstar "will arrange to meet" union reps following devs' request for recognition, assuring it gives teams "world-class work environments" amid demands for "fairer crunch practices"
Rockstar Games has stated it will meet with union representatives following a request for official recognition from its UK developers. The developers are seeking pay transparency, fairer crunch practices, and better flexible working arrangements. This comes after accusations of union-busting in 2025 and an ongoing dispute with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain.
Rockstar Games Employees Request Voluntary Recognition of Union
Employees at Rockstar Games have requested voluntary recognition of the IWGB union, following the formation of the Rockstar Game Workers Union. If recognized, Rockstar Games would be the second UK studio to unionize, potentially leading to improved worker protections and rights through collective bargaining. The company stated it will engage in open dialogue regarding the union's recognition.
GTA 6 developers at Rockstar Games pushing to pursue official union recognition following 2025 sackings: "The union is now stronger than ever"
Employees at Rockstar Games are actively working with the Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain to secure union recognition before the November release of Grand Theft Auto 6. This follows previous efforts to establish the Rockstar Game Workers Union and a ruling against the company's request to remove blacklisting claims from a legal process. The union hopes for voluntary recognition but is prepared to consider a strike if necessary.
A Disco Elysium writer once told Josh Sawyer that 'we can do better than this now,' and Sawyer agrees
RPG veteran Josh Sawyer discusses how game developers inspire each other and evolve design concepts over time. He acknowledges that previous ideas can be improved upon, citing narrative choice in RPGs as an example. Sawyer believes this continuous cycle of inspiration and refinement is essential for the industry's progress.
