Longdue, a new developer, has been established to create a spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed 2019 computer role-playing game Disco Elysium.
The studio currently comprises 12 individuals, including members who worked on the original game and its scrapped sequel, as well as former employees from Bungie (Destiny, Halo) and Rockstar (Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption). The debut game is described in a press release as “a psychogeographic RPG that delves into the intricate interplay between the conscious and subconscious, the visible and the invisible.” Set in a world where decisions have repercussions on a character’s psyche and surroundings, players navigate an ever-evolving landscape influenced by internal and external influences.
In the award-winning Disco Elysium, players take on the role of a depressed, alcoholic detective in a town scarred by a long-ago war. Regarded as one of the finest computer RPGs of all time, it has consistently ranked high on PC Gamer’s list of the Top 100 PC Games. Its uncompromising narrative delves into themes of racism, socialist politics, philosophy, psychology, and colorful language, challenging players with its intellect and capacity to unsettle them, fostering a devoted community.
The fate of Disco Elysium became uncertain due to a series of disputes at developer ZA/UM. Lead designer and writer Robert Karwitz, writer Helen Himpel, and lead artist Alexander Rostov, among others, were involuntarily ousted in 2022, with allegations of misconduct leading to their dismissal. Years of legal battles ensued, with resolutions reached in 2023, when ZA/UM laid off a quarter of its remaining staff earlier in the year. Plans for a sequel and expansion to Disco Elysium were scrapped.
While Longdue did not disclose the original team members from Disco Elysium involved in the new project, it confirmed that Rostov and Karwitz are not part of it.
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Grant Roberts, formerly of Bungie and Rocksteady, serves as the narrative director for Longdue. “Longdue takes inspiration from a wealth of classic RPGs, from Ultima and Wizardry to Fallout and Planescape, including the esteemed Disco Elysium,” he stated. “We are eager to carry on that legacy with a story-driven psychological RPG where the interaction between your inner world and the external environment is at the core of the experience.”
Source: www.theguardian.com
