It seems like we’re diving into one of those intriguing days once again. ZA/UM, the studio famously behind Disco Elysium, has shared news about their upcoming project, which, interestingly enough, isn’t the anticipated Disco Elysium 2. Simultaneously, one of the many spiritual successors trying to capture the essence of Disco has dropped its first teaser and announced a new addition to their team – yet another former developer from Disco Elysium.
The studio behind this spiritual spin-off, Longdue, is making waves alongside Dark Math Games and Summer Eternal. They’re gearing up to launch a Kickstarter campaign for their psychological RPG, first announced in January, with the campaign officially kicking off on March 17.
Remember Hopetown? It’s a sort of Disco-inspired successor where you assume the role of a journalist in a mining town. This game introduces a “psychogeography system,” which uses emotions, memories, and conversations as key elements, replacing traditional mechanisms like keys or levers to unlock doors, transform landscapes, and shape relationships.
The latest teaser doesn’t reveal much more but does feature the original Disco Elysium narrator, Lenval Brown. He lends his voice as the camera sweeps through an artistically styled hallway brimming with arguments, eventually focusing on Hopetown’s protagonist. Brown isn’t just narrating; he’s voicing a significant character and playing a pivotal role in the project.
“Returning to this space feels incredible—like stepping into a new adventure,” Brown shared. “There’s nothing quite like breathing life into a world, shaping a story that’s been eager to be told.”
Adding to the excitement, another former Disco team member has joined forces with Longdue. This new addition partners with names like narrative director Grant Roberts and technical lead Piotr Sobolewski, who appear in the latter part of the teaser. Furthermore, Martin Luiga, who was an editor on the original Disco, has also joined the Hopetown team.
Luiga expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I’m eager to share my experiences with the Longdue team to help them shape the narrative and systems for Hopetown. We aim to leverage the strengths of narrative RPGs while innovating to tell a story rooted in past and present themes, with a glimpse into what could be. I believe this team has the potential to create a valued addition to the Western RPG tradition.”
Are you excited about Hopetown’s potential, assuming they meet their crowdfunding targets and bring this project to life? We’d love to hear your thoughts—feel free to share below!
