Hopetown, a psychogeographic RPG reminiscent of Disco Elysium, has set its sights on a Kickstarter launch date of March 17. The project has garnered attention not only for its ambitious premise but also for the involvement of new talent from the team behind Disco Elysium. However, potential backers may want to tread carefully before committing their funds.
The Reddit thing
In a recent press release, Longdue, the studio behind Hopetown, emphasized the importance of community support, stating, “Backing Hopetown isn’t just about funding—it’s about building a community, backing a vision, and casting a vote.” The studio positions itself as an independent entity willing to explore creative avenues that larger studios might shy away from.
Yet, the backdrop of the project is clouded by ongoing legal disputes involving key figures from the Disco Elysium development team. Moola, the founder of Longdue, is embroiled in a lawsuit against former Disco Elysium writer Argo Tuulik and another ex-employee, Dora Klindžić, over an alleged breach of a non-compete clause. This legal battle has led to an injunction preventing Tuulik and Klindžić from contributing to their newly formed development collective, Summer Eternal. Longdue contends that the two were offered a generous severance package, which they declined, citing concerns over a non-disclosure agreement. The pair maintains that their legal grounds are unfounded, claiming they had no intention of working for Moola’s main company, Hyperion Development, which focuses on coding bootcamps.
Adding to the intrigue, Moola is reportedly banned from the Disco Elysium subreddit. A moderator confirmed that an account linked to Moola attempted to promote Hopetown and defend Longdue amidst a wave of criticism from fans supporting Tuulik. The account was subsequently banned due to evidence of suspicious activity, including automated upvoting of Moola’s posts and downvoting of critical ones. Moola has denied any involvement with the account in question.
Crowd Funded
Despite these controversies, Hopetown boasts some notable credentials. The game features narration by Lenval Brown, known for his work on Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, and technical support from Piotr Sobolewski of Knights of Unity, who played a significant role in refining Disco Elysium’s code during its final development stages. Additionally, Martin Luiga, credited as an editor on Disco Elysium and a founding member of the artist collective that became Studio ZA/UM, has joined the team.
Longdue’s marketing heavily references Disco Elysium, positioning Hopetown as a spiritual successor to the acclaimed RPG. However, the studio’s recent establishment in November and the preproduction status of the game raise questions about its readiness for crowdfunding. While previous successful campaigns like Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity and Double Fine’s Broken Age were backed by established teams, Longdue is a newcomer in the industry.
As the gaming community watches closely, the sentiment among dedicated fans of Disco Elysium appears skeptical. Many express concerns about investing in a project from an unproven studio, especially when competing indie RPGs are emerging. The timing of Hopetown’s announcement coincides with Studio ZA/UM’s own teaser for a follow-up to Disco Elysium, further complicating Longdue’s efforts to carve out its niche in a crowded market.
