Hopetown Devs Assert: “Creating a Great Game Doesn’t Require a Disco Elysium Legacy” Despite Comparisons

Among the group of studios that I like to call the Disco Diaspora, Longdue stands out. This collection of four studios, each in its own way, seems to be competing for the crown of creating the true spiritual successor to Disco Elysium. What sets Longdue apart is their enthusiastic marketing approach.

In their initial announcement last October, Longdue highlighted that some team members had worked on the original Disco Elysium and its unfinished sequel. By January, they revealed plans for a new game, Hopetown, with a headline boldly announcing the crowdfunding campaign aimed at delivering a successor to Disco Elysium. This, and subsequent announcements, have continued to spotlight former Disco contributors like Piotr Sobolewski and, more recently, Martin Luiga.

In a chat with Longdue’s technical lead, Sobolewski, and Hopetown’s narrative director, Grant Roberts, I got an inside look at the talent they’re harnessing for their upcoming project. Sobolewski, acknowledged in Disco Elysium’s credits for ‘additional development’ through The Knights of Unity, expands on their current roster: “We’ve seen many from the Disco franchise come through, some staying, others collaborating for a while. Martin Luiga, for instance, is the latest to join us, bringing his background from [ZA/UM]. While I can’t list everyone involved in Disco’s narrative, it’s clear the key creatives have largely departed ZA/UM for these other studios.”

Roberts prefers not to delve into the complexities surrounding the so-called Disco Diaspora drama. Instead, he focuses on Longdue’s current mission: “Others might highlight the names involved, but I’m more interested in what we’re building. Many talents from ZA/UM have been part of this journey. Some prefer to stay nameless due to the fervent discourse online, which I understand completely.”

The spirit of Disco Elysium resonates in Hopetown, yet Roberts emphasizes that this creation does not merely replicate past successes. “Our new narrative team is carving its path. Piotr rightly points out that you don’t need a Disco credential to craft something outstanding. Other remarkable games existed before Disco, and while ZA/UM did something groundbreaking, we’re not chasing after that same lightning in a bottle.”

Sobolewski has experienced some scrutiny about his Disco Elysium contributions, particularly his previous LinkedIn description as “co-creator of the highest rated PC game of all time (according to Metacritic).” “ZA/UM acknowledged The Knights as crucial to Disco’s development,” he explains. “Our team contributed significant ideas, and while I was the CEO, not working directly on the game, I played some role in its journey. Our collaboration started many years ago, and our efforts were openly recognized as something that helped save Disco Elysium.”

As Roberts remarked, their focus is on results, not rhetoric: “For the skeptics disheartened by the Disco Elysium fallout, I’d say look at the work we’re producing. We are crafting something we’re proud of, with a team rich in diverse experiences and backgrounds.”

With Longdue’s Kickstarter launch for Hopetown happening today, March 17, all eyes are on what this new chapter will bring to the legacy of Disco-inspired adventures.