In an exciting development for the gaming industry, two new studios have emerged, founded by veterans of the acclaimed Disco Elysium developer, ZA/UM. One of these studios, Summer Eternal, has been established by Argo Tuulik, a writer who contributed to the cult classic before his departure from ZA/UM in February. Joining him are a talented team that includes voice actor Lenval Brown, principal writer Dora Klindžić, senior concept artist Anastasia Ivanova, graphic designer Michael Oswell, and Aleksandar Gavrilović, previously associated with Gamechuck. Summer Eternal is set to establish its base in Zagreb, Croatia, in April of the coming year.
Embracing a New Creative Vision
In a statement reflecting on the current landscape of game development, Summer Eternal remarked, “We must be living at the dawn of a cultural Golden Age, when like mushrooms after rain the companies promising ‘the next Disco Elysium’ are popping up every hour on the hour.” This surge in new studios coincides with the fifth anniversary of Disco Elysium’s release, prompting a wave of interest from corporations eager to capitalize on the game’s success.
However, the studio’s founders are keenly aware of the challenges that often accompany such rapid growth in the industry. They emphasized the need to prioritize the creatives who contribute to these projects, stating, “Often forgotten in this money lust are the creatives themselves, first instrumentalized for press releases and afterwards underpaid, silenced, bullied, sued, abused…” Their vision includes the establishment of a worker-owned cooperative, ensuring that every worker, creative, and even player has a voice in the creative process.
The second studio, Dark Math Games, has also made headlines with its formation by four former ZA/UM staff members, including motion graphic designer Timo Albert and Heiti Kender, brother of Kaur Kender, the executive producer of Disco Elysium. Dark Math Games is currently developing a project titled XXX Nightshift, described as a ‘true detective RPG.’ Albert teased fans with promises of innovation, stating, “Additionally to innovating the traditional RPG mechanics, we’ll bring something fresh to the table. You will see. And of course, a few less words. And a few more bullets, perhaps. In total: lot more fun.”
These new ventures, alongside Longdue—another studio recently founded by Disco Elysium alumni—signal a vibrant shift in the gaming landscape, where creativity and collaboration take center stage.
