Earlier this week, we brought you the news of the "involuntary" departure of key members of the studio ZA/UM, responsible for Disco Elyisum. Lead writer Robert Kurvitz, writer Helen Hindpere, and art and design lead Aleksander Rostov have not been working at ZA/UM "since the end of last year and their leaving the company was involuntary", according to Martin Luiga, an editor on Disco Elysium and founding member of ZA/UM, who broke the news in a post on Medium. ZA/UM issued a statement but did not comment directly on the matter.
In a new interview with GamePressure (which is fantastic, lengthy, and well worth a read) Luiga has claimed of the trio that "they were fired under false premises, and the entire ordeal has been very traumatising for both them and people close to them."
It's hard to say exactly how an involuntary departure and a firing under false premises differ, but Luiga goes on to say that "I am super worried, but I am still not disclosing all the information I have, and there is also information which I don't have, and I am rather sure that we will not have the full picture before the final judgement."
Kurvitz, Hindpere and Rostov confirmed their departure on Twitter, with zero fanfare, and the outpouring of sentiment in the comments below speaks to the impact Disco Elysium had on its players. As Luiga suggests, there is certainly more to this story than there would initially appear; it seems that those affected are bound by contractual agreements or NDAs. We will be sure to update you once we know more.
What do you make of this ongoing Disco Elysium drama? Ponder deep and melancholy thoughts in the comments section below.
[source gamepressure.com, via eurogamer.net]
Comments 17
Its a shame when office politics badly affect a creative endeavour.
I cant help feeling that this studio will never quite hit the level of excellence of DE again following this kind of event, but I hope to be proved wrong.
Didn't understand from the article why they were fired?
The writing was phenomenal, as was the art, so that's a massive blow to them as I don't think the fired staff will be easily replaceable.
Shame, as Disco Elysium is one of the most memorable games I've played. Loved it.
This is not the first time this studio is negative in the news. It's a shame as Disco Elysium is a great game but I have a hard time supporting a studio that doesn't have his studio in order and people aren't treated fair.
@djlard
Because the reasons why they were fired remain vague to say the least.
Some Founders are more equal than others.
Not surprising to see the very worthwhile message they were spreading be corrupted by capitalist investors. And now we’ll get a soulless sequel with no input from the creators. I really hate this planet.
@PegasusActual93 So something like Johnny Depp and Pirates of Caribbean... preemptive fire?
@djlard
Did you not read the article? They were supposedly kicked out involuntarily under "false pretenses" but we don't have any more explicit details available because all the parties involved are likely under NDA.
Intriguing. I love it!
@PegasusActual93 I'm sorry I don't understand "false pretences" term. That's why I'm asking what does it mean. I only deducted what it may mean...
@djlard
Legal definition:
"False representations concerning past or present facts that are made with the intent to defraud another". In other words they were supposedly fired because of some accusation that was nothing more than hearsay. At least that is what they are saying. Legal issues are preventing us from getting more details.
@Choppaz proof?
Disco Elysium was a brilliant gem. Sad to hear what’s going on now.
@Choppaz Where have you found this information i could not find anything about it?
Maybe they stopped clapping first and it was off to the gulag?
Maybe they should take down their Joseph Stalin portrait as well.
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