Today, the studio behind Disco Elysium, ZA/UM, revealed plans for a mobile version of its acclaimed RPG. This new adaptation will utilize semi-animated frames from cinematic perspectives instead of the original’s top-down style, similar to a fusion of Myst and visual novels.

While the game promises to remain free of ad intrusions, it will launch with two complimentary chapters for users to sample on the Google Play Store, with an Apple counterpart not yet confirmed.

The anticipation for this release is tempered by the surrounding controversy. Three pivotal artists from the original Disco Elysium, including Robert Kurvitz, departed from ZA/UM under contentious circumstances back in 2021. They have alleged financial misconduct by the studio management, stating that their work on Disco was misappropriated. In contrast, company officials have claimed their departures were justified. Meanwhile, the new mobile adaptation raises ethical questions about the use of original creator’s work without their involvement or compensation.

In interviews, Kurvitz expressed that the sales of Disco Elysium, surpassing five million copies, did not reflect financial benefits that should be due to him and his co-creators.

As excitement builds for Disco Elysium Mobile, the reflections on its original creators’ situation paint a complex picture of innovation versus respect for foundational artists.