ZA/UM
ZA/UM business and news from across the web.
Disco Elysium studio's new RPG Zero Parades is coming out in May, the developer's first release since several…ZA/UM, the studio behind Disco Elysium, has announced its new RPG, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, will be released on May 26, 2026, for PC platforms including Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. A Steam demo will remain available until April 13, offering players a chance to try out two quests from the espionage RPG.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is the first Disco Elysium successor to get a release date, will finally be playable this summerZA/UM has announced that Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, an espionage RPG from former Disco Elysium developers, will be released on PC on May 21st. The game will be Steam Deck Verified at launch, with PlayStation 5 and other platform versions to follow. ZA/UM also committed to launching with five languages and a faster localization cadence than their previous title.
The discourse machine whirs to life as Zero Parades: For Dead Spies gets a May release dateZA/UM has announced that Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, the follow-up to Disco Elysium, will be released on May 21st as a PC exclusive. The game is also Steam Deck verified and will feature English voice acting with text localization in multiple languages. The article also touches on the studio's ongoing controversies and the potential discourse surrounding the game's release.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies Release Date Sneaks Up on MayZA/UM has announced that the espionage RPG Zero Parades: For Dead Spies will be released on May 21st for PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. The game shares influences with Disco Elysium, featuring exploration of a city and a struggle for ideological power, though many original Disco Elysium developers have since left ZA/UM.
Disco Elysium Studio's Zero Parades: For Dead Spies Launches This MayZA/UM has announced that Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, a spiritual successor to Disco Elysium, will launch on May 21 as a PC exclusive. The game will feature full English voice acting and text localization for five languages at launch, with more languages to follow. A PlayStation 5 version is planned for later in 2026, and the game will also be Steam Deck Verified.
Zero Parades: For Dead Spies Launches on May 21st for PC as New Trailer Teases IntrigueZA/UM announced that Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, the successor to Disco Elysium, will launch on May 21st for PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG. The dialogue-heavy RPG features a former operant named Hershel Wilk and introduces new mechanics like Exertion, alongside challenges such as Anxiety and Fatigue. A free PC demo is available now, and the game is also planned for a PlayStation 5 release at a later date.
Zero Parades devs knew they didn't want to make another cop game after Disco Elysium: 'How people think of the police these days, it's a bit different'ZA/UM developers decided against making Zero Parades a police-themed game, similar to Disco Elysium, due to changing public perceptions of law enforcement. Instead, the team opted for a spy thriller genre, which they found to be more creatively fruitful. Principal writer Siim Sinamäe noted a shift in societal views on police since Disco Elysium's 2019 release.
Even after ZA/UM's messy breakup, the writing team still has a cadre of sad communists—but you won't have to play Zero Parades as one if you don't want toDespite the departure of key writers from ZA/UM, the studio's upcoming game Zero Parades will still feature communist themes, though players will not be forced to embody a communist protagonist. Writers confirmed that while the player character is a spy for a communist Superbloc, ideological motivations can vary, similar to Disco Elysium's approach.
One of the best games in years, and also one of the most controversial comes to Game Pass today – bye bye weekendDisco Elysium has been added to Game Pass, offering players a 50-hour RPG experience with enhanced features in its Final Cut version. The article also details the significant behind-the-scenes controversy surrounding developer ZA/UM, including allegations of corporate mismanagement and disputes over intellectual property involving key creative figures.
From ‘Squalid Flat’ to Gaming Legend: Disco Elysium’s Heartwarming Success StoryThe success story of Disco Elysium, developed in a humble Estonian apartment, highlights how passion and creativity can lead to critically acclaimed indie games. The original developers embrace spiritual successors like Esoteric Ebb, fostering a positive environment for game development. This narrative serves as inspiration for aspiring developers worldwide, proving that great games can emerge from modest beginnings.
Disco Elysium writers marvel at how a game made 'in a f**king squalid flat' in Estonia had such a huge impact, and welcomes successors like Esoteric Ebb: 'We make games, but we also like them'The writers of Disco Elysium reflect on the game's significant impact, noting how a title developed in Estonia has inspired successors like Esoteric Ebb. They express enjoyment for new, high-quality games in the genre, while emphasizing the need for continuous self-challenge to avoid complacency.
Two laugh-out-loud moments in Zero Parades gave me hope that the Disco Elysium successor will still deliver flashes of…Zero Parades, the follow-up to Disco Elysium from developer ZA/UM, aims to blend spy thriller elements with the signature verbose style of its predecessor. Early impressions from a recent demo highlight humorous dialogue options and meaningful skill checks that offer unexpected outcomes, suggesting the game will deliver a unique twist on the RPG formula.- ZA/UM doesn't want 'to invite too many comparisons' to Disco Elysium with new game Zero Parades—'We didn't feel like we wanted to repeat our greatest hits'ZA/UM's new CRPG spy thriller, Zero Parades, aims to differentiate itself from its acclaimed predecessor, Disco Elysium. Principal writer Siim Sinamäe stated the studio wants to avoid direct comparisons, highlighting differences in setting and protagonist, though the demo still evokes a similar feel. The development process involved significant trial and error to leverage the team's strengths.
The future of RPGs is isometricThe isometric role-playing game genre is experiencing a significant resurgence, driven by the success of titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Disco Elysium. This trend sees developers embracing the classic top-down perspective, bridging the gap between modern AAA RPGs and older, more hardcore cRPGs, with new projects emerging across indie, AA, and even AAA studios.
Tabletop gaming saved videogame RPGsTabletop gaming mechanics have significantly influenced the evolution of video game RPGs, leading to greater player agency and more creative combat systems. Games like Disco Elysium and Baldur's Gate 3 demonstrate this trend, offering deep role-playing experiences that owe a debt to tabletop origins. This approach is proving successful for both large and small studios, revitalizing the genre.
Review: Esoteric Ebb Is a Disco Elysium Style FantasyEsoteric Ebb is a fantasy role-playing game that draws inspiration from Disco Elysium, featuring a similar narrative structure and emphasis on dialogue and character interaction. Developed by Christoffer Bodegård, the game incorporates Dungeons & Dragons elements, including dice rolls for action resolution and a deep character creation system. The game is available for PC and offers a unique blend of absurdist humor and social commentary.
It's only March, but I'm calling it: Esoteric Ebb is 2026's best RPG and the first worthy successor to…Esoteric Ebb is a new CRPG that draws heavy inspiration from Disco Elysium, offering a deep tabletop RPG-like experience with a focus on player choice and emergent gameplay. The game allows for extensive experimentation and features a unique skill system that acts as companions in the player's head. It is being praised for its innovative approach to CRPG combat and its ability to accommodate player-driven narratives, even when they deviate from the main quest.
Fantasy RPG Esoteric Ebb is "the most exciting game Disco Elysium has inspired", says former ZA/UM writerEsoteric Ebb, a new RPG inspired by Disco Elysium, is described by a former ZA/UM writer as the most exciting game to emerge from that inspiration. The game features a detective protagonist with internal voices representing stats, a unique setting, and a narrative that blends humor with political commentary. It is available on PC and has a demo.- Highlights från Steam Next FestSteam Next Fest is currently underway, featuring hundreds of free playable demos for upcoming PC games. The event runs until March 2nd and highlights titles such as Wielders of the Essence, Denshattack!, and Far Far West, among others. Developers like Lavapotion and former ZA/UM team members are showcasing their new projects.
ZA/UM's Zero Parades is Schrodinger's Disco Elysium follow-up, and it keeps yelling at me about communismThe Next Fest demo for ZA/UM's Zero Parades, a spy CRPG, showcases gameplay that heavily echoes Disco Elysium while introducing new mechanics. Players control Hershel Wilk, a spy for a communist state, investigating her partner's collapse. The game explores themes of communism and capitalism, featuring internal monologues and skill checks, but its ultimate success hinges on balancing its Disco Elysium inspirations with its own unique direction.