ZA/UM, the studio behind "Disco Elysium" and "Zero Parades: For Dead Spies," is undergoing another round of layoffs, impacting up to 32 employees. This decision comes just two months after the release of "Zero Parades: For Dead Spies." The studio stated that the game's commercial performance has not allowed them to maintain their current staff size.
"We have served redundancy or at-risk notices impacting up to 32 of our colleagues across all departments at ZA/UM Studio," a statement from the company read. "Their work has made a lasting difference and left its mark on Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, and the studio as a whole."
ZA/UM leadership has reportedly been consulting with representatives of the ZA/UM Workers' Alliance. This alliance, formed in October of the previous year, was recognized as the first video game union in the UK games industry. With approximately 100 staff members at the studio prior to these layoffs, the recent cuts represent a reduction of roughly one-third of the workforce.
This is not the first instance of staff reductions at ZA/UM. Previously, several former employees departed to establish their own studios, aiming to create spiritual successors to "Disco Elysium." Some of these new ventures include Tangerine Antarctic (formerly XXX Nightshift), Hopetown, and Red Rooster. However, none of these projects have been released yet, and public information regarding their development varies.
While not reviewed by this publication, "Zero Parades: For Dead Spies" received critical acclaim upon its release. The game is the second title from ZA/UM, following years of controversy surrounding the studio's management and intellectual property disputes. The studio has not provided specific sales figures for "Zero Parades: For Dead Spies."