The recent events at Disco Elysium studio ZA/UM have left many stunned and confused. Following the cancellation of the standalone expansion X7, there have been reports of layoffs and a so-called “humiliation campaign” against writer Argo Tuulik. The circumstances surrounding these events have raised many questions about the studio’s internal workings and the treatment of its employees.
The fallout from the cancellation of X7 has been significant. Not only was the expansion itself scrapped, but a substantial number of employees, including lead writer Argo Tuulik, were laid off. The atmosphere within the studio reportedly turned toxic, with allegations of mistreatment and retaliation being leveled against the management.
Employee Testimonies
According to testimonies from current and former employees, Argo Tuulik was subjected to a “humiliation campaign” after his participation in a documentary about the studio. Fellow lead writer Dora Klindžić revealed that Tuulik was made to apologize for his statements in the documentary and was belittled by the management. This treatment ultimately led to Tuulik’s demotion and departure from the studio.
Studio Dynamics
The events at ZA/UM have shed light on the dynamics within the studio. The departure of key creative talent, including lead ideasman Robert Kurvitz, created a power vacuum that seemingly resulted in internal conflicts and power struggles. The decision to cancel both the sequel to Disco Elysium and an unrelated sci-fi RPG further added to the turmoil within the studio.
With the cancellation of multiple projects and the departure of essential personnel, the future of ZA/UM remains uncertain. The studio’s reputation has undoubtedly been tarnished by the recent controversies, and it remains to be seen how they will recover from these setbacks. However, it is clear that significant changes are needed within the studio to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The cancellation of X7 and the subsequent events at ZA/UM have raised serious concerns about the treatment of employees and the management practices within the studio. It is essential for the studio to address these issues promptly and transparently to regain the trust of both its employees and the gaming community. Only time will tell if ZA/UM can overcome this challenging period and emerge stronger and more united than before.
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