ZA/UM has announced a mobile version of cult hit RPG Disco Elysium, and the studio's head Denis Havel says the intent behind the game's reimagined mobile adaptation is to "captivate the TikTok user".
As revealed by IGN, ZA/UM wants to both attract new players to Disco Elysium and provide a "fun, on-the-go alternative" for those who've already experienced the game in its current PC and console form. The mobile version will, however, be exclusive to Android devices. Sorry, iOS users.
The first two chapters of Disco Elysium on Android will be released for free, ZA/UM says, and you'll be able to experience the rest of the game for a single one-off payment, so at least you won't have to buy each chapter one by one.
Perhaps a little defensively, ZA/UM says its current staff comprises "both creators and custodians of the Disco Elysium IP", and that this will be "evident in the Disco Elysium mobile experience" the studio is creating.
Worryingly, however, studio head Denis Havel then says the goal is to "captivate the TikTok user with quick hits of compelling story, art, and audio". He says he believes this will create an "all-new, deeply engaging form of entertainment".
I can't honestly say I think the Disco Elysium experience will be significantly improved by playing the game on your tiny smartphone screen, nor do I think the train or a long car journey are the best places to experience Harry DuBois' descent into (or ascent out of) madness. Still, that's corporations for you, I guess.
You can check out the announcement trailer for Disco Elysium on Android devices right here.
This is the second major announcement ZA/UM has made this week. Just a couple of days ago, the studio revealed a new "genre-defining" RPG it's currently calling Project C4, although details on that project are scant right now.
It is also worth bearing in mind that although ZA/UM makes noises about being "custodians" of Disco Elysium, many of the game's original creators are no longer at the studio due to a huge falling-out that carried both cultural and legal ramifications for all concerned.
Several of the original folks behind Disco Elysium have, however, announced their own projects, and if I were you, I'd be keeping my eye on those over the mobile version of Disco Elysium. Still, who knows? Maybe it'll be great. Stay tuned for more.
