ZA/UM Shows New Game 'Zero Parades,' Wants to Stay Small

ZA/UM, the game studio that made Disco Elysium, has shown its new game, Zero Parades. The game is about spies. The studio says they want to stay a smaller company to keep making games their own way.
By Newsroom | Gaming, Video Games |

The recent unveiling of Zero Parades, the latest role-playing game from ZA/UM, has generated considerable discussion. Developers connected to the studio have voiced a preference for remaining outside the realm of "AAA" game development, suggesting a deliberate choice to maintain a particular creative ethos. This stance emerges as the industry navigates evolving creative landscapes and internal studio dynamics.

Zero Parades Writer Hopes ZA/UM ‘Never Becomes a AAA Studio’ - 1

New Game "Zero Parades" Draws Parallels to "Disco Elysium"

ZA/UM, the studio behind the acclaimed Disco Elysium, has revealed its new title, Zero Parades. The game centers on espionage and power plays, featuring a narrative-driven experience with mechanics that bear a strong resemblance to its predecessor.

Zero Parades Writer Hopes ZA/UM ‘Never Becomes a AAA Studio’ - 2

  • Gameplay Similarities: Reports indicate Zero Parades will incorporate a complex dialogue system and a focus on character building, akin to Disco Elysium. Players will encounter a system of "thoughts" that can be reinforced or punished, influencing gameplay modifiers. The game also utilizes character outfits and skills, such as espionage abilities, to affect available choices and areas.

  • Narrative Focus: The game's story follows a spy attempting to solve a mystery, with an emphasis on narrative choice and introspective character development. The tone is described as noir-tinged and dreary, avoiding glamour to focus on the realities of espionage.

Studio Dynamics and Creative Aspirations

The development of Zero Parades comes after a period of significant internal change at ZA/UM. This has led to questions about the studio's current composition and creative direction.

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Zero Parades Writer Hopes ZA/UM ‘Never Becomes a AAA Studio’ - 3

  • Staffing and Structure: ZA/UM currently has close to 100 employees, many of whom work remotely across different global locations. This distributed model may contribute to the studio's stated desire to avoid becoming a large-scale "AAA" studio.

  • Creative Independence: A writer associated with the game has expressed a hope that ZA/UM will "never become a AAA studio." This suggests a value placed on creative control and a distinct development environment, potentially separate from the pressures and expectations associated with massive, high-budget productions. The goal, from this perspective, appears to be fostering deeper connections among team members and allowing for greater artistic freedom.

The Legacy of "Disco Elysium"

Zero Parades inevitably enters the spotlight under the shadow of Disco Elysium, a game widely praised for its unique narrative, writing, and gameplay.

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Zero Parades Writer Hopes ZA/UM ‘Never Becomes a AAA Studio’ - 4

  • Critical Acclaim for "Disco Elysium": Disco Elysium received significant critical attention, noted for its complex themes and innovative RPG mechanics. Its success set a high benchmark for the studio.

  • Team Departures: Reports suggest that a notable portion of the original development team behind Disco Elysium is no longer with ZA/UM. This transition has led some to question the extent to which the new title truly represents the same creative force. Despite this, the studio insists that a core team remains dedicated to its vision.

"Zero Parades" as a Distinct Offering

While drawing clear inspiration from Disco Elysium, ZA/UM aims for Zero Parades to stand as its own entity within the espionage genre.

  • Espionage Theme: The game is explicitly identified as a "story-rich espionage RPG," focusing on themes of betrayal, secrecy, and difficult choices within a spy thriller context.

  • Embracing Failure: A mechanic described as "embrace failure" suggests a gameplay loop where mistakes and setbacks are integrated, offering opportunities for players to adapt and overcome challenges.

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"We see some recognizably Disco-ese top-down angles as the trailer carries on, and it looks slick, and importantly, aesthetically distinct from Disco Elysium." - TheGamer

"L’héritage de Disco Elysium est demeuré incertain depuis l’implosion interne de ZA/UM, marquée par des départs houleux et des accusations publiques entre anciens collaborateurs." (The legacy of Disco Elysium has remained uncertain since the internal implosion of ZA/UM, marked by acrimonious departures and public accusations between former collaborators.) - Gamekult

Expert Insights and Industry Context

Industry observers note that the stated ambitions of ZA/UM regarding their studio size align with a broader trend of developers seeking to maintain creative autonomy.

  • The shift in development teams at ZA/UM is a significant factor. The question remains whether the core design philosophies that made Disco Elysium successful have been preserved.

  • The deliberate avoidance of the "AAA" label can be seen as a strategic decision to manage scope and retain a more intimate development culture.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Zero Parades is positioned as a narrative-intensive RPG that leverages the foundational elements of Disco Elysium while exploring new thematic territory in espionage. The studio's emphasis on maintaining a specific development environment, rather than pursuing large-scale "AAA" status, suggests a commitment to its established creative principles. The internal changes at ZA/UM are a relevant aspect of the studio's current trajectory, but the focus for Zero Parades remains on its narrative and gameplay design, aiming to deliver an experience that is both familiar and fresh to players.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Zero Parades?
Zero Parades is a new game from the studio ZA/UM, the same people who made Disco Elysium. It is a game about spies.
Q: Why does ZA/UM want to stay small?
The studio wants to keep creative control over their games. They feel that being a smaller company helps them make unique games.
Q: Is Zero Parades like Disco Elysium?
Yes, the new game has similar game styles, like talking to people and building characters. But it has a new story about spies.
Q: Did the team that made Disco Elysium make Zero Parades?
Some of the original team is still there. However, reports say many people have left the studio since Disco Elysium was made.