What We Know About ZA/UM’s Project C4 and Longdue’s Hopetown

Six years after the groundbreaking release of Disco Elysium, the gaming world is buzzing with excitement as two separate teams ZA/UM and former developers who left the studio have unveiled their next projects. 

On March 11, the announcements for Project C4 and Hopetown sent waves through the industry, promising fresh takes on storytelling and RPG mechanics. Let’s dive deeper into what we know so far about these highly anticipated games, exploring their unique features, inspirations, and potential impact on the gaming landscape.

ZA/UM’s Project C4: A Spy RPG with a Dark Twist

ZA/UM, the original creators of Disco Elysium, introduced Project C4, a spy-themed role-playing game that blends deep dialogue systems with dice-based combat. The first teaser trailer showcases a moody, espionage-heavy aesthetic, hinting at a story filled with betrayal, loyalty, and moral ambiguity.

Players take on the role of an operative working for a dubious global power. Your mission plunges you into a shadowy struggle for truth and influence, where failure could cost your life—or expose your true identity.

Failure is not just a possibility in Project C4, it’s a central theme. Unlike traditional games where players reload saves to avoid mistakes, this title encourages players to embrace missteps and see them as integral parts of the experience. These failures shape the narrative in meaningful ways, creating a more personal and reflective journey.

For example, failing a critical mission might lead to unforeseen consequences, such as losing allies, gaining enemies, or even altering the political landscape of the world.

The protagonist uses psychoactive substances to alter their mind, adding another layer of complexity to decision-making and gameplay. This mechanic ties into the game’s exploration of perception, reality, and the blurred lines between success and failure. Imagine taking a drug that temporarily enhances your intuition but clouds your judgment, forcing you to make high-stakes decisions under altered mental conditions. These choices could ripple outward, affecting relationships, alliances, and outcomes in unpredictable ways.

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One of the lead writers emphasized that while Project C4 draws inspiration from Disco Elysium, it stands apart as its own unique creation.

This isn’t Disco Elysium 2. It’s something entirely new three years in the making, exploring themes of espionage that fascinate everyone at ZA/UM.

The tone of the game is described as closer to Slow Horses than James Bond. This isn’t a glamorous spy thriller filled with gadgets and high-stakes heroics. Instead, it explores the grittier side of espionage, focusing on flawed characters and unglamorous missions. Think morally ambiguous operatives caught in webs of deceit, navigating bureaucratic red tape while trying to survive in a world where trust is a luxury few can afford.

Potential Gameplay Mechanics in Project C4

While concrete details remain scarce, early hints suggest that Project C4 will feature a hybrid system combining turn-based tactical combat with real-time stealth elements. Players may need to plan their moves carefully, balancing risk and reward in high-pressure situations. For instance, infiltrating an enemy compound might require choosing between brute force, clever deception, or silent infiltration—each approach offering unique challenges and rewards.

Additionally, the game’s dice-based combat system promises to add unpredictability to encounters. Success won’t solely depend on player skill; luck will play a significant role, echoing the chaotic nature of espionage itself. This mechanic could create moments of intense tension, where even the most meticulously planned operation can go awry due to bad rolls or unexpected complications.

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Another intriguing aspect is the game’s focus on interpersonal dynamics. Relationships with NPCs—whether allies, rivals, or informants—will likely evolve based on player choices. Building trust might unlock valuable resources or insider information, while alienating key figures could leave you isolated and vulnerable. Expect a web of interconnected characters, each with their own agendas and secrets.

Finally, the setting of Project C4 appears to draw heavily from Cold War-era aesthetics, blending retro-futuristic technology with gritty realism. Think dimly lit safehouses, cryptic radio transmissions, and labyrinthine government agencies. The world-building promises to be as immersive and detailed as Disco Elysium , with layers of lore waiting to be uncovered by curious players.

Longdue’s Hopetown: A Spiritual Successor to Disco Elysium

Meanwhile, Longdue, a studio formed by former ZA/UM developers, unveiled Hopetown a psychological RPG set in a mining town. This project positions itself as a spiritual successor to Disco Elysium, retaining the narrative depth and innovative mechanics fans loved while charting its own path.

You play as a journalist navigating the complexities of a small mining community. Armed with the ability to reshape reality using emotions, thoughts, and memories, your choices shape relationships and even the environment around you.

One of the standout features is the "psychogeography" mechanic, which allows players to manipulate the landscape based on the collective psyche of the townspeople. This system ties directly into character interactions and plot progression. For example, unresolved tensions or suppressed emotions might manifest as physical changes in the environment, such as crumbling buildings or eerie weather patterns. Imagine walking through a town where the streets twist and warp depending on how the residents feel about you or where abandoned mines echo with the whispers of forgotten tragedies.

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Dialogue remains central to the experience, driving the story forward and offering branching paths influenced by player decisions. Every conversation carries weight, shaping not only the immediate outcome but also the broader trajectory of the narrative. Choices made early in the game could have profound repercussions later, ensuring that no two playthroughs are exactly alike.

The teaser trailer features the unmistakable voice of Lenval Brown, the narrator from Disco Elysium, who has joined the project to lend his talents once again. Speaking about his involvement, Brown said:

It’s great to return and step into something new. There’s nothing quite like bringing a world to life and telling a story that’s been waiting for its moment.

Crew is dope: Martin Luiga, former editor of Disco Elysium, who brings his expertise to ensure the game builds on the strengths of classic RPGs while innovating within the genre. Grant Roberts, Director of Storytelling, and Piotr Sobolewski, Technical Lead, who round out the leadership team.

Luiga described the project as "equally rooted in the past, present, and potential futures", teasing a richly layered narrative that pushes boundaries in interactive storytelling. He hinted at a game that challenges players to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and the world around them, much like Disco Elysium did with its exploration of politics, philosophy, and existentialism.

Potential Gameplay Mechanics in Hopetown

Early descriptions suggest that Hopetown will emphasize environmental storytelling and player agency. The psychogeography system could allow players to interact with the world in novel ways, using emotional cues to uncover hidden truths or resolve conflicts. For example, calming a distraught resident might cause a stormy sky to clear, revealing previously inaccessible areas or clues.

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Character customization may also play a role, allowing players to tailor their journalist’s skills and personality traits. Will you be a hard-hitting investigative reporter willing to burn bridges for the truth, or a compassionate listener who gains trust through empathy? These choices could influence how NPCs perceive you and affect the flow of information throughout the story.

The game’s art style reportedly leans into surrealism, blending photorealistic environments with dreamlike distortions. This visual approach mirrors the protagonist’s ability to reshape reality, creating a seamless blend of grounded storytelling and fantastical elements. Expect stunning visuals that capture the beauty and decay of a struggling mining town, brought to life through meticulous attention to detail.

Music and sound design are expected to play a crucial role in immersing players in the atmosphere of Hopetown. The score might shift dynamically based on the protagonist’s mental state or the emotional tone of a scene, enhancing the overall sense of immersion. Imagine a haunting melody accompanying a tense confrontation, or a warm, nostalgic tune underscoring a heartfelt moment of connection.

Comparing the Two Projects

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While both Project C4 and Hopetown draw inspiration from Disco Elysium, they offer distinct experiences catering to different tastes:

Both titles share a commitment to thoughtful, character-driven storytelling, but their execution promises to be markedly different. While Project C4 immerses players in a world of spies and secrets, Hopetown invites them to explore the inner workings of a fractured community—and perhaps their own psyche.

Whether you’re drawn to the gritty realism of Project C4 or the dreamlike exploration of Hopetown, these projects signal exciting times ahead for fans of ambitious, story-rich games. As development progresses, expect more details to emerge about gameplay mechanics, character arcs, and the overarching themes that will define these experiences.

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