According to the New York Times, Estonian developer Robert Kurvitz and his studio ZA/UM created the critically acclaimed role-playing game Disco Elysium, which sold over five million copies and generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue before collapsing amid bitter ownership disputes, legal battles, and massive layoffs.
The Rise and Fall of ZA/UM and Disco Elysium
Released in 2019, Disco Elysium combined deep psychological investigation, literary writing, and explicit political commentary, earning four video game awards where developers thanked Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Producer Kaur Kender told the New York Times that he sold his Bentley, his Ferrari, and his apartment to fund the project. Despite this financial sacrifice, the original creators lost majority control of the studio to investors.
According to studio leadership, Kurvitz and several colleagues were ousted due to toxic behavior and failure to complete their work duties. Conversely, Kurvitz and Aleksander Rostov claimed that the company they built was stolen through financial misconduct. Investor Ilmar Kompus acquired a major stake through a separate company, and allegations emerged that Kompus purchased artwork for the game’s sequel at a low price before selling it back to the studio for millions of euros to fund his stake. Although Kender initially filed a lawsuit regarding these transactions, he later withdrew it, and Kompus reportedly returned the disputed funds to the studio.
Legal Resolution and Studio Aftermath
Studio ZA/UM announced in the spring of 2023 that all legal disputes had concluded, though Robert Kurvitz disputed that characterization. The internal turmoil resulted in the definitive cancellation of the planned Disco Elysium sequel. ZA/UM subsequently laid off a quarter of its workforce and released Zero Parades: For Dead Spies in May, which received strong reviews but performed poorly commercially, leading to 32 additional layoffs.
Did you know? Disco Elysium generated estimated revenues exceeding tens of millions of dollars and sold more than five million copies worldwide, establishing itself as one of the most commercially successful indie RPGs of its decade.
Ex-ZA/UM Developers Launch New Studios
Former ZA/UM developers have established multiple new independent studios to continue developing narrative-driven titles. Projects like Hopetown and Tangerine Antarctic emerged from the fragmented team, though internal disagreements led to further division and the creation of another new studio named Summer Eternal, which is currently developing Red Rooster.
Meanwhile, Robert Kurvitz and his dismissed colleagues launched a new studio named Red Info. According to verified industry reports, Red Info secured over two hundred million Czech crowns in funding from Chinese investors and enlisted the expertise of video game veteran Chris Avellone, known for his work on Fallout 2 and Planescape: Torment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Who created Disco Elysium?
Disco Elysium was created by the arts and literary collective ZA/UM, spearheaded by estonian artist and writer Robert Kurvitz. -
Why was the Disco Elysium sequel canceled?
The sequel was canceled following severe internal disputes, ownership battles between original creators and investors, and the departure of key figures like Robert Kurvitz from studio ZA/UM. -
What are the former ZA/UM developers doing now?
Former developers have founded new independent studios, including Summer Eternal and Red Info, with Red Info securing major backing from Chinese investors.