On March 14, Eurogamer (opens in new tab) and GamesIndustry.biz (opens in new tab) reported on a ZA/UM press launch that declared the decision of its authorized dispute with founding member and Disco Elysium producer Kaur Kender, whereas additionally indicating that Disco Elysium venture lead Robert Kurvitz and lead artist Aleksander Rostov’s wrongful termination go well with was dismissed over lack of proof. Since then, Kurvitz and “Sander Taal” (GamesIndustry.biz signifies that this can be a pseudonym utilized by Rostov) have responded, stating that they may proceed to pursue authorized motion. In the meantime, ZA/UM launched Disco Elysium’s first content material replace since December 2021’s “Jamais Vu” patch.
The ZA/UM saga, in short
- 2000s: ZA/UM initially coalesces as an artist collective in Estonia.
- 2013: Robert Kurvitz publishes Sacred and Horrible Air, a novel and the primary business work set within the Elysium setting.
- 2016: First public reveal of Disco Elysium as “No Truce With the Furies” (archived on Reddit) with predicted EOY 2016 launch. Producer Kaur Kender appears to have been concerned since earliest phases, with eventual funding from Tõnis Haavel and eventual CEO Ilmar Kompus. Round this time, ZA/UM turns into a formalized recreation developer.
- 2019: Disco Elysium launches to important acclaim.
- March 2021: Disco Elysium: The Remaining Lower, a definitive version of the sport releases.
- Finish of 12 months 2021: Venture lead Kurvitz, lead artist Aleksander Rostov, and author/Remaining Lower lead author Helen Hindpere “involuntarily” depart the corporate.
- October 2022: Disco Elysium editor and former ZA/UM member Martin Luiga reveals the trio’s departure, subsequently confirmed by ZA/UM and a letter from Rostov co-signed by the opposite two.
- Trio alleges unfair ousting, in addition to misappropriation of €4.8 million from ZA/UM to buy majority share in firm by CEO/investor Kompus and fellow investor Haavel with assist from investor/Disco Elysium producer Kaur Kender.
- Kompus, by way of ZA/UM, alleges poisonous administration fashion, belittling of feminine staff, and different abuses by Kurvitz and Rostov. No particular incidents or particulars elaborated, however GamesIndustry.biz (opens in new tab) cites an unknown variety of nameless sources to not less than partially corroborate the narrative.
- Kender sues Kompus and ZA/UM over misappropriation of €4.8 million, Kurvitz and Rostov file their very own, separate go well with towards the corporate.
- December 2022: Kender withdraws go well with towards ZA/UM, citing return of funds by Kompus, with no elaboration as to why he had the €4.8 million within the first place.
That is the primary public improvement within the story since ZA/UM CEO Ilmar Kompus paid €4.8 million again to the corporate and Disco Elysium producer Kaur Kender withdrew his personal lawsuit towards the developer (opens in new tab). In ZA/UM’s preliminary press launch this week, it claimed that Kender has since paid Kompus for his authorized charges, and GamesIndustry.biz shared a seemingly contrite message from the author and entrepreneur:
“I’m grateful for the years of belief and cooperation with the crew, which made Disco Elysium a profitable venture,” Kender informed GamesIndustry.biz. “After leaving my full-time function, I filed a lawsuit which I spotted, after seeing the information, was misguided.”
ZA/UM additional said that Kurvitz and Rostov’s “unfair dismissal” declare towards the corporate has been dropped as a consequence of “lack of proof,” however this solely appears to be a part of the total case towards it as the corporate nonetheless faces what it characterizes as a “collection of baseless allegations from former staff” that can “disintegrate beneath authorized and factual scrutiny.”
A consultant for Kurvitz and Rostov shared a four-part assertion with PC Gamer in response to ZA/UM’s claims. “The press launch is improper and deceptive in a number of respects and seeks to unfairly paint us–Robert Kurvitz and Sander Taal, the remaining minority shareholders in ZA/UM–as mere disgruntled staff,” the assertion begins.
Kurvitz and Rostov additional deny that their employment claims towards ZA/UM have been withdrawn as a consequence of lack of proof. “They weren’t. We see our dismissal as half of a bigger marketing campaign towards us and can pursue authorized choices accordingly.”
The pair additionally be aware the unusual circumstances surrounding the €4.8 million withdrawn and far later returned to ZA/UM by CEO Kompus, the topic of Kaur Kender’s lawsuit. “Kender’s lawsuit was based mostly on the misuse of ZA/UM’s funds (4.8 million euros) by the bulk shareholders Kompus and Haavel to extend their very own stake within the firm.” Kurvitz and Rostov clarify. “Within the press launch, Kompus and Haavel admit to this misuse, arguing solely that the cash has been ‘paid again to ZA/UM’. Paying again stolen cash, nonetheless, doesn’t undo the crime; right here, it doesn’t undo the bulk that Kompus and Haavel have illegally gained in ZA/UM.”
“Kompus and Haavel silenced Kender on this matter, however they won’t silence us,” The pair concludes. “Not like Kender, we now have not participated within the looting of ZA/UM, and Kompus and Haavel don’t have any energy over us.”
The ultimate level paints Kender as an adversary of Kurvitz, Rostov, and Hindpere (the latter of whom is just not a celebration to the lawsuit, however has indicated assist of her fellow builders). In a Medium submit from Rostov co-signed by the opposite two final 12 months, the artist states that the ousting and misappropriation of €4.8 million was “perpetrated by Ilmar Kompus and Tõnis Haavel with assist from Kaur Kender, one other minority shareholder.”
Tried out the brand new mode! Ahaha that is so enjoyable, I am glad they’re so in contact with us followers! from r/DiscoElysium
Two days after the preliminary press launch from ZA/UM, the corporate launched a “collage mode” (opens in new tab) for the sport, a mix photograph mode, mannequin viewer, and Garry’s Mod-style sandbox. Whereas innocuous sufficient by itself, its timing with the brand new developments within the authorized battle over ZA/UM has elicited heated reactions from followers of Disco Elysium.
One of many highest-rated posts (opens in new tab) on the Disco Elysium subreddit from the previous few days makes use of the brand new mode to indicate a company stooge character from the sport hawking its new characteristic, whereas others are encouraging followers to pirate the sport. responses (opens in new tab) to the collage mode announcement on Twitter, many are criticizing it as a tonal conflict with the sport, and even accusing it of being a distraction from the continuing authorized dispute of Disco Elysium’s possession. One reply was merely a screenshot of character Joyce Messier musing on how critiques of capitalism solely find yourself reinforcing capitalism, drawing a parallel with the sport’s politics and present state.
For now, as earlier than, the way forward for one in every of our favourite video games of all time stays unsure. ZA/UM is hiring, however it’s unclear how a lot leeway the studio has with Kurvitz and Rostov nonetheless pursuing authorized motion, whereas the artists’ personal path to any type of victory or reclamation of the IP is murky and little question costly.
