A glance at Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, the forthcoming RPG from ZA/UM, instantly reveals its resemblance to the studio's prior hit, Disco Elysium. This isometric title boasts a vivid art style and dialogue-heavy gameplay, with conversations stacked vertically on the screen's right side.
Diving deeper uncovers more parallels. A "Conditioning" system mirrors many functions of Disco Elysium's unique Thought Cabinet, while the story strives for political depth and introspection. The skills system also manifests as a sentient inner monologue, offering commentary on player choices and the surrounding world.
For some Disco Elysium enthusiasts, this overlap might stir unease. In 2022, game director Robert Kurvitz and art director Aleksander Rostov—key creatives behind the acclaimed RPG's vision—were among staff who left the studio involuntarily. ZA/UM stated they were dismissed for misconduct, whereas Kurvitz and Rostov accused majority shareholders of fraud. Many fans view those fired as victims of corporate conspiracy, and now worry about the studio crafting a Disco Elysium successor with similar designs but without those original minds.
In a recent IGN interview, writer and VO director Jim Ashilevi addressed why ZA/UM didn't pursue a fresh direction for Zero Parades. "It would have made sense to go completely different if the team were all new talent," Ashilevi said. "But since so many key players from Disco Elysium are here for Zero Parades, it didn't make sense to ignore our experience as amateur game makers and start learning new storytelling methods."
Allen Murray, ZA/UM's head of studio, estimates about 35% of the current 90-person staff worked on either the original Disco Elysium or its "Final Cut" expansion. "We're still the same people," Ashilevi continued. "Our interests in video games, film, literature, and theater haven't changed—hopefully they've evolved. We're following our gut and obsessions, much like in Disco Elysium, and that'll be present in Zero Parades too, largely because the same people are building this cool world."
In a pre-Gamescom 2025 interview, IGN asked Ashilevi and lead technical artist Nicolas Pirot about fan caution post-departures of Kurvitz, Rostov, and others. "I understand why some might have reservations," Pirot noted. "It's not my place to dictate their thoughts. We're aiming to tell an incredible story and hope people enjoy Zero Parades enough to engage and see who we are as a group."
"We're here to write more stories," Ashilevi added. "If that upsets or makes people cautious, fair. But a new game is coming soon—I hope you check it out. If you don't like it, that's completely fine."
ZA/UM plans to launch Zero Parades this year. This espionage RPG, themed around power struggles and failure, aims to stand apart from Disco Elysium without "fully re-inventing the wheel."
