Disco Elysium Developer ZA/UM Faces Layoffs Amid Commercial Struggles
Just two months after releasing its latest game, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, in May, the UK-based studio ZA/UM has announced layoffs affecting up to 32 staff members. This move comes as a surprise to many in the gaming industry, particularly given the critical acclaim received by Zero Parades: For Dead Spies. Despite this, the game’s commercial performance has not enabled the studio to sustain its current size.
In a statement posted on its X/Twitter account, ZA/UM expressed gratitude towards the departing colleagues for their hard work and dedication. The studio emphasized that the layoffs will change its shape but not its purpose, with a focus on maintaining its artistic standards. This message has been echoed in the studio’s previous struggles, including a lawsuit launched by former developers in 2022, which alleged that the studio’s control was obtained through fraudulent means.
ZA/UM’s Turbulent Past
ZA/UM’s journey has been marked by controversy and challenges since the early 2020s. The studio’s troubles began in October 2022, when multiple key developers, including writer and designer Robert Kurvitz, writer Helen Hindpere, and art and design lead Aleksander Rostov, left the studio involuntarily. Kurvitz later launched a lawsuit against the company, accusing its leadership of obtaining control through deceitful means.
As the situation unfolded, a series of spinoff studios emerged, consisting of former ZA/UM developers. Dark Math Games and Longdue Games announced their projects, XXX Nightshift and Hopetown, in October 2024, while Summer Eternal revealed itself shortly after. This marked a significant shift in the gaming landscape, with several studios branching out from ZA/UM’s original team.
Recent Layoffs and Studio Restructuring
The recent layoffs, affecting up to 32 staff members, are not ZA/UM’s first. In 2024, the studio reported that around 24 employees had been impacted by layoffs. This move came alongside the cancellation of a standalone Disco Elysium expansion.
The studio’s latest game, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, received positive reviews from critics, with an 83 on Metacritic following its launch on May 21, 2026, for PC and PS5. However, the game’s commercial performance has not met the studio’s expectations, leading to the current restructuring efforts.
ZA/UM’s statement on the layoffs emphasized its commitment to maintaining artistic standards and working with its Workers’ Alliance union throughout the process. The studio expressed gratitude towards its departing colleagues, highlighting their significant contributions to the game and the studio as a whole.
