Disco Elysium is quite possibly one of the most critically acclaimed CRPGs in modern times. However, the unfortunate situation revolving around the game and the studio ZA/UM in current times are nothing short of heartbreaking.
A few months ago, game director Robert Kurvitz and art director Aleksander Rostov publicly denounced the studio, saying that they were unjustly deposed from the studio. They also claimed that the studio took the Disco Elysium IP away from them.
With tension between them brewing over the months, the pair recently updated on the situation. Through a Medium post, the pair alleged that they were defrauded by ZA/UM. According to the post, things started going sour when an Estonian company called Tütreke OÜ acquired majority shareholding.
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“We think it’s time people knew what has transpired at the company”, Disco Elysium game director Kurvitz and art director Rostov wrote in the post.
“As soon as they became majority shareholders, we were quickly excluded from daily operations, our employment was terminated and our access to the company’s information was shut off.”
“Our firing came weeks after we started asking for documents and financial data, which is still being kept from us. We have now learned that Tütreke OÜ must have obtained control over Zaum Studio OÜ by fraud.”
“We believe the money used by Tütreke OÜ to buy the majority stake was taken illegally from Zaum Studio OÜ itself, money that belonged to the studio and all shareholders but was used for the benefit of one. Money that should have gone towards making the sequel.”
The pair believes that these problems amount to criminal wrongdoings punishable by law. They also say that they are reviewing legal options.
