ZA/UM Faces Layoffs and Project Cancellations Amid Controversies

The studio behind Disco Elysium, ZA/UM, is laying off a quarter of its staff following the cancellation of a key project, amidst allegations of mismanagement and fraud.

ZA/UM, the developer behind Disco Elysium, is laying off around a quarter of its staff following the cancellation of a project codenamed X7, a standalone expansion for Disco Elysium.
The layoffs and project cancellation come amid a series of controversies and allegations of mismanagement within the studio, including accusations of fraud and toxic management.
The last remaining writer from the original Disco Elysium team, Argo Tuulik, has expressed pessimism about the studio's future, stating that ZA/UM will likely remain a 'one-game studio.'
Two other projects remain in development at ZA/UM, codenamed C4 and M0, despite the recent cancellations and layoffs.
The situation at ZA/UM has been described by insiders as a departure from the studio's original creative spirit, with some hoping that the talented individuals affected will find better opportunities elsewhere.