Disco Elysium Creator Rejects Triple-A Expansion In Favor Of Creative Integrity

Developer ZA/UM gained massive attention with Disco Elysium, yet the team remains focused on keeping operations manageable as they prepare for Zero Parades. The studio currently employs just under 100 staff members who work remotely or from offices in Tallinn, London, and Porto. They remain independently owned, a structural decision that protects them from the external shareholder pressures that often dictate the direction of larger entities.

I see this independence as a crucial factor in their ability to maintain creative control over their projects. Jim Ashilevi, writer and voiceover director, recently spoke to IGN about his desire for the company to stay true to its origins rather than chasing the scale of a triple-A developer.

"I hope we'll never become a triple-A studio,"

— Jim Ashilevi

Ashilevi believes that fresh concepts consistently emerge from the indie scene rather than the industry giants. He notes that avant-garde developments tend to happen on the fringes of the gaming world, where risks are encouraged. This philosophy guides the development of Zero Parades, ensuring the project aligns with their artistic values regardless of commercial performance. The team prioritizes its identity as storytellers over the pursuit of corporate expansion. I feel that this grounded approach helps them navigate a volatile market without losing their soul. Even if the new title achieves astronomical sales figures, the goal remains to preserve the studio’s core sensibilities.

"Honestly, even if Zero Parades sells four billion copies, I hope we are wise enough to stay true to our core sensibilities and values as artists and storytellers."

— Jim Ashilevi

The conversation also touched on the broader state of the video game industry. Ashilevi described the current landscape as grim in terms of business stability but creative in its output. He highlighted the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as a demonstration that the market holds an enormous appetite for single-player, story-led games produced outside of the mega-publishers. While the industry has become less restrictive, promoting a game and finding an audience presents a new set of hurdles. The only controllable element for the developer remains the fidelity to their own vision and voice.

Internal satisfaction stands as the primary metric of success for the team at ZA/UM. Ashilevi views positive player responses as a bonus rather than an objective. His "North Star" throughout the production of Zero Parades has been the opportunity to deepen relationships with friends and colleagues. He values the chance to understand their hearts and minds through the collaborative process. Players interested in seeing the results of this vision can access a free demo of the game during the upcoming Steam Next Fest.