A cancelled standalone spin-off project for the popular RPG Disco Elysium, codenamed X7, has been generating buzz among fans and former employees of developer ZA/UM Studio. Lead writer Dora Klindžić described the spin-off as being “110 percent authentic” and the “most hardcore Disco since Disco” with ambitious plans to advance the story, emotional threads, and gameplay elements to elevate the psychological RPG genre.
The spin-off was meant to focus on one of the beloved characters from Disco Elysium and was seen as a promising project that could reassure fans about the studio’s future. Initial reactions to X7 within the company were positive, and it was viewed as a significant step for ZA/UM to demonstrate their commitment to the IP and their talented team.
While some believed the spin-off could have been ready for launch this year, others thought next year was a more realistic target. Klindžić mentioned that a less intrusive management approach could have allowed for a three-year development cycle for X7, which was initially set to start in 2022.
Despite initial enthusiasm and successful pitching, the X7 project faced challenges from the start, including a lack of pre-production time and pressure to meet deadlines without sufficient resources. The cancellation of the spin-off did not come with a clear explanation, but it highlighted ongoing tensions within ZA/UM following legal disputes and controversies involving former team members and new studio ownership.
Overall, the story of the cancelled Disco Elysium spin-off sheds light on the complexities of game development and the delicate balance between creative vision, resource management, and organizational challenges in the industry. It serves as a cautionary tale of the importance of fostering a conducive environment for creative teams to thrive and deliver on ambitious projects like X7.
