The creators of the critically acclaimed game Disco Elysium, ZA/UM Studio, have recently announced a new project titled Project [C4]. Marketed as a "genre-defining RPG," the teaser trailer has sparked interest with its unsettling visuals. However, it leaves much to the imagination regarding gameplay mechanics or visual style, which might—or might not—resemble those from Disco Elysium. The press release reveals players will assume the role of a spy and hints at an intriguing narrative partially set inside the human brain. Despite this revelation, most details remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, since Disco Elysium's release in 2019, ZA/UM has faced internal strife marked by layoffs, firings, and departures of key team members.

In 2022, significant changes occurred within ZA/UM when its new executive leadership terminated Robert Kurvitz, Aleksander Rostov, and Helen Hindpere, accusing them of misconduct and attempted intellectual property theft. Notably, Kurvitz authored the novel upon which Disco Elysium is based, casting doubt on these accusations. Following their dismissal, Kurvitz and Rostov established a new company named Red Info, supported financially by NetEase for developing another game, though specifics remain scarce.

Besides these developments, Kurvitz and Rostov publicly contested the allegations via an open letter. They alleged they were dismissed while probing suspicious activities related to the acquisition of ZA/UM by Estonian businessmen Ilmar Kompus and Tõnis Haavel, both having prior convictions for investment fraud. Furthermore, these individuals have been accused of fostering a toxic work environment, especially towards women. A former writer from Disco Elysium disclosed that several female employees left due to issues involving Tõnis Haavel, highlighting a lack of female representation in creative leadership roles.

Separately, some ex-ZA/UM employees founded a development firm called Longdue. This group aims to craft a game serving as a spiritual successor to Disco Elysium. As Project [C4] moves forward under uncertain circumstances, fans eagerly await further announcements about its innovative premise and how it may differentiate itself from its predecessor.

Despite the controversies surrounding ZA/UM, the studio's announcement of Project [C4] signals a potential shift in their creative direction. The enigmatic teaser suggests a bold narrative approach, inviting speculation about the boundaries of storytelling in video games. With ongoing legal disputes and the emergence of competing ventures from former team members, the future landscape of RPGs could witness significant transformations driven by diverse creative forces once united under one banner.