Disco Elysium was a rare beast, perhaps the most immaculately written video game ever released (in this humble scribe's opinion), but it was too pure for this world. Following its launch, the subsequent messy, public legal spat between the creatives responsible for the work and the suits who own the IP would result in multiple rounds of layoffs at developer ZA/UM, savagely ironic considering the game's anti-capitalist slant. But would it make you feel worse to know that the standalone expansion cancelled in February, possibly focused on Kim Kitsuragi, was nearly complete?
This spin-off, reputed to be "110% authentic, most hardcore Disco since Disco", according to lead writer Dora Klindžić, was referred to internally as X7 and could have been released as early as next year, in 2025. Thanks to some incredible reporting from PC Gamer, the tragic loss fans of melancholy narrative RPGs suffered unknowingly can now be properly savoured and marinated upon, the next best thing to another Disco Elysium game.
The story so far is too twisted to tell here (we've been covering it extensively if you need a refresher), so we'll stick to the new stuff. PC Gamer spoke to a dozen current and former ZA/UM employees, including Klindžić and Argo Tuulik, writers on the original Disco Elysium and leads on X7, giving a much better picture of what fans have been denied.
X7 would have "advanced the story, the emotional threads, and gameplay elements all at once to truly evolve the genre of psychological RPG as Disco Elysium started it". An internal studio demo was shown off at the end of 2023, impressing the other teams at ZA/UM. One developer said: "I feel like it was the best possible shot at a Disco-like game without [Kurvitz], Rostov, and other people that made the original Disco Elysium. It was a spin-off about one of the most beloved characters [in the game]".
Klindžić twists the knife: "It was something no one else but Argo could have done. For a while, it seemed like miracles were possible, and with them, redemption."
Take it in—what might have been. The *unfairness* of it all pairs wonderfully with the game's OST. Does it feel authentic to the spirit of Disco Elysium that things turned out like this? Is it possible for ZA/UM to recapture the magic of that beautiful game with so many vital creatives now gone? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source pcgamer.com]
Comments 31
Why you gotta twist the knife in my heart Khayl? I still think this game is underrated for how smartly written and atmospheric it is. It took such a special confluence of artsy and politically minded creatives to make this, with no regard for mass appeal, that I’m genuinely worried we won’t see anything like it again. Would have loved to see the expansion, but it is definitely in keeping with the critiques put forth in the game.
Back away, not today, disco lady
I played through the entire game but must be one of the few who wasn't all that impressed with its writing. At times it felt too random, like a word salad of pseudo intellectual and artsy ramblings that I simply couldn't digest in any meaninful way. It made me feel detached from its world and characters.
Nevertheless, it was something different and enjoyable in its own way. Just something I have no desire to experience again.
There will never be another Cuno. The King of Disco Elysium.
I don’t know how well a Kim game would’ve been made. A lot would have to change. You wouldn’t have been able to do the dumb stuff like you did with Detective Raphaël Ambrosius Costeau. It’d be more serious of a game which is meh to me. An adult Cuno game with him being a constantly high detective instead of a drunk one would actually work really well IMO
I hope the suits are hit with a carmic punishment befit of their crime.
We are talking about greedy idiots who would go up against geniuses that were able to create magic.
It would be nice with a disclaimer: these are the people who are accountable (so we can boycut them, (I would gladly beat them to death but somehow THAT is a crime)) and conversely: let us know when and if the original creators find a home.
If only the ressources that Jade Raymond unfairly and undeservedly were given could be transferred to these developers who ACTUALLY need a haven.
This world, man...
If they were calling it X7, it might be for the best it was cancelled. I mean, remember Megaman X7? Holy cow, the world would’ve been better off without that travesty!
I jest though. I’m sure Disco Elysium X7 would’ve made different choices.
LOGIC
[High: Success] It would certainly make sense that the chance of an expansion game to succeed financially is low, statistically speaking.
VOLITION
[High: Failure] But it hurts so much when it could have been so critically acclaimed!
DRAMA
[Low: Success] The pain! Oh, the pain!
INLAND EMPIRE
[Medium: Success] The video game industry is teasing you, manipulating you, purposefully torturing you. Haven’t you noticed? You are a puppet on the stage of life. Flailing, crumbling, splintering in a sea of mathematical nothingness. Embrace the psychedelic non-existence of the pale.
Hardcore to the MEGA!
Such a shame, Disco is easily in my top 3 games of all time, truly spectacular IMO. Kim being my favourite side kick of all time makes it hurt even more!
@Th3solution Brilliant mate, absolutely top drawer, If I could like your comment twice I would 👍
@J2theEzzo Yes something like that, I don't want to put his name here and probably why CWill97 didn't as it is a major spoiler.
@Mostik Oops! You're probably right, hehe... I just thought maybe I'd missed something and actually got it totally wrong all this time!
Will delete my former comment! 😉
@J2theEzzo No worries buddy, it is an older game now and probably only those who played it will read the article/comments. I did exactly the same as you when I first read their comment 👍
@Mostik 😅 Thanks, buddy. Conflicting inner monologues come quite naturally for me.
@Ainu20 I see where you are coming from, I played most of it but christ it felt like I needed a degree in English and politics to fully comprehend it. Doesn't mean the writing is bad it's a bit heavy at times and it does alienate people.
This utterly pains me, this game will remain in my top ten all time forever. So original, profoundly absorbing and an experience that stays with you, in your bones. Exemplifies with conviction, that games are undoubtedly - art.
@Th3solution
That's perfectly funny and perfectly indicative of the wonderful writing of the game at the same time.
If you are awarded with a smelly hat + 1 all stats there is some form of justice in the universe
@Ainu20 Nah, you're right. The game was extremely up its own ass
@EfYI Cheers, mate. 🍻 Unfortunately, justice appears to be in short supply in our universe at the moment. 😛 Thank you though!
Such a great game amd I loved the writing and characters. I get people think it's pretentious but then that just becomes a by-word for "I didn't understand it and/or it didn't resonate with me" People call Kojima pretentious, which is a fair point but then his games are full of great ideas.
If Shakespeare was still alive he would probably be pretentious, but it doesn't change the fact that he's the greatest writer the world has ever known
@Athrum The reason it was written that way was to emulate and partially parody noir fiction written by authors like Raymond Chandler. Also to capture the feeling of “thought” in text, you’ve got to include some digressions. But yeah I suppose it seems pretentious for the video game world, but for literature not so much.
On the “up their butt” end of literary games, see Norco and Kentucky Route Zero where you are forced to watch a 10 minutes stage play on the misery of late stage Capitalism lol
@NotTelevision is KRZ worth it? I've been wanting to try it for awhile.
Cunoesse was the best, she cracked me up like no other character.
People called this game pseudo-intellectual because they can't read.
I should get around to playing this again, if only to see if I find it as pretentious as I did the first time.
@Batesy125s Agreed. I really didn't think this game would be for me nor did I previously consider Kojima until a friend persuaded me to give them a try. I count Disco and Death Stranding as two of my favourite games of all time now. I think the description 'pretentious' will become more commonplace as video games evolve into a much more varied art form. The other thing to consider is that we, as humans, have very much entered the early to mid stages of 'Idiocracy'. That film has gone from enjoyable comedy to depressing prophecy. Nowhere in the world is untouched seemingly. Thank goodness we can escape into great games occasionally! (This is in no way meant to be an affront to other genuinely informed opinions).
disco, in my opinion, was the most mature expression of the medium so far...some of these commenters are showing their whole a** with these comments. it wasnt pretentious in the slightest, you just werent smart enough to understand. respectfully.
Won't someone please think of Kim. The world needs more Kim. The world needs more Disco. Weird that greed got in the way.
The story of ZA/UM post-Disco is a cruelly ironic tale
@TJ81 I completely agree. I mena obviously no one likes getting talked down to, but I don't think that is the intention of either Kojima or the Disco elysium devs. I just feel that whenever a piece of media tries to get a little artsy, it's straight away labelled as pretentious, or up its own arse. I just feel like with media like that you just have to go "this isn't for me" and move on.
I've been a fan of Kojima since MGS 2 and I've loved all of his games, but it did take me 2 attempts to actually get into Death stranding properly. With Disco elysium I got it on offer around November and thought I'd play it for a few hours and I would be done. It ended up being my 5th most played game of last year
Genuine comment, honest..... I've tried DE about 3 times but always give it up about 5 mins after I get out of my apartment, so perhaps 30 mins in to the game - I dont think I 'get it' because everyone raves on it and its just coming across as meh to me.
I assume its some sort of point n click adventure with RPG stats/build elements - but its just not biting.
Is it a case of it coming together and the magic happening in the next hour, or perhaps I should watch a playthrough of the first hour to help the magic along - or is it if you aren't up for a point n click 80s adventure it probably isnt for you?
LOL - Just noticed the comment above mine says exactly the same, much more succinctly though.
@Malaise @lindos To be fair, with games like this you really have to buy into the world they've created. Even if you're ok with zero combat yet fabulous RPG elements; if the world building itself doesn't grab you then you won't (and shouldn't) continue playing. There are after all, plenty of other great games out there for every taste/interest.
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