Another group of ex-Disco Elysium developers found Dark Math Games

A bunch of former ZA/UM workers have fashioned a brand new studio, Darkish Math Video games, and are engaged on a religious successor to Disco Elysium.

The crew of 20 describe themselves as a “breakaway group from the unique improvement crew” behind the acclaimed 2019 role-playing sport. One of many 4 founders is Timo Albert, who served as movement graphic designer on the Disco Elysium crew.

IGN additionally discovered, through Firms Home data, that Darkish Math’s energetic administrators embrace Heiti Kender, brother of ZA/UM investor and Disco Elysium govt producer Kaur Kender.

Darkish Math Video games is at present engaged on its debut sport, XXX Nightshift, which it describes as a “true detective RPG” with a science-fiction setting and a “distinctive companion dynamic” that creates totally different paths when fixing instances.

Within the announcement, Albert stated: “Moreover to innovating the standard RPG mechanics, we’ll convey one thing recent to the desk. You will note. And naturally, just a few much less phrases. And some extra bullets, maybe. In complete: lot extra enjoyable.”

Darkish Math’s unveiling follows this morning’s information that one other group of former Disco Elysium builders have additionally arrange a UK studio, Longdue. We spoke to the team about their debut mission – one other religious successor – and the impression of the ZA/UM dispute.

With these two studio bulletins, there at the moment are three builders engaged on Disco Elysium-like video games.

The third is Pink Data Ltd, based in June 2022 by Disco Elysium’s mission lead Robert Kurvitz and lead artist Aleksander Rostov, who had been each concerned in a ZA/UM dispute after claiming they had been unfairly dismissed from the corporate. PC Gamer reported the studio was arrange with the backing of Chinese language writer NetEase.

Kaur Kender – who can be listed as a director for Darkish Math Video games however marked as ‘resigned’ somewhat than energetic – beforehand filed a lawsuit in opposition to ZA/UM and its CEO Ilmar Kompus over the alleged misappropriation of €4.8 million of firm funds to illegally buy majority share within the studio.

This authorized dispute was resolved in March 2023, with Kender withdrawing his go well with and being ordered by court docket to repay Kompus’ authorized charges.

For extra data on the authorized battle round Disco Elysium, make sure you watch the in-depth investigation by People Make Games.