While developer ZA/UM struck gold with 2019's Disco Elysium, the studio remains relatively compact. According to writer and voice-over director Jim Ashilevi, that's exactly how it should stay.
In a recent IGN interview, Ashilevi stated, "I hope we'll never become a triple-A studio." ZA/UM currently has just under 100 employees, many working remotely worldwide, with offices in Tallinn, Estonia; London, UK; and Porto, Portugal. The company is independently owned, and though larger than many indie developers, it maintains a small-scale operation—a quality Ashilevi values.
"We're always deeply encouraged and inspired by the indie scene because that's where fresh ideas emerge," he explained. "The avant-garde always happens on the fringes, and I hope we'll never become a triple-A studio. Even if Zero Parades sells four billion copies, I hope we're wise enough to stay true to our core sensibilities and values as artists and storytellers."
Ashilevi also shared his perspective on the gaming industry, remarking, "I think it's grim out there. The industry is in a really rough place—we all know that. But creatively, it's not in a rough place. In a way, it's better than ever because anyone can make a game that touches the hearts of hundreds of millions of people." He pointed to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as an example; despite its higher budget compared to ZA/UM's projects, its 2025 success showed a strong demand for single-player, story-driven games outside major publisher circles.
"The industry has become less gatekeep-y in a way," Ashilevi noted. "But that creates another challenge: how do you promote your game or ensure it finds its audience? Ultimately, the only thing you can control is staying true to your own vision and voice." For ZA/UM, that vision has been the "North Star" for Zero Parades.
"For that reason, I'm already really proud and happy with what we've done," Ashilevi said. "The player response—hopefully positive—is almost just a bonus. The real value I got as a storyteller was getting to know my friends and colleagues better and understanding what's in their hearts, minds, and souls."
For more on ZA/UM, explore the studio's stance on AI use and why its new RPG bears similarities to Disco Elysium.
