As we speak, Disco Elysium developer ZA/UM has supplied simply the tiniest tease of its subsequent venture: a sport targeted on the themes of spy and espionage presently being known as “Mission C4”.
As a part of the reveal, we bought a have a look at a short teaser trailer, and had been briefed on a couple of of the massive concepts we will count on in C4…in addition to what we must always NOT count on. For one, we had been informed C4 is just not Disco Elysium 2, however as a substitute takes place in a totally unique new world. We additionally had been informed that it is explicitly not a 007-style spy story. As an alternative, it is impressed by the novels of John le Carré, particularly the Smiley vs. Karla trilogy (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy, and Smiley’s Folks). It additionally consists of parts of psychadelic sci-fi, borrowing from authors like Usula LeGuin and Philip Ok. Dick, and motion sequences impressed by Park Chan-wook.
Mission C4, we’re informed, can be concerning the struggles of spies behind the scenes, espionage, allegiances, betrayals…and failure. Failure particularly will play a key position in Mission C4 as a result of it seems like it should carry again one key aspect from Disco Elysium: the “fail ahead” philosophy. Like in Disco, failure in C4 won’t end in a reset or reload of the sport. As an alternative, the story will transfer on, accounting on your failure. Which means residing with the results of your choices, resembling who to ally with, who to be loyal to, and learn how to spend your time. And sure, you are still on the mercy of your cube rolls.
A press launch affords a bit extra readability as to the story itself:
The world of [C4] is rife with shadowy characters who assist transfer the items for competing geopolitical powers in a sport of hid battle. The participant units out to finish a determined project which is able to put them vulnerable to shedding their life, or a lot worse – being uncovered for what they are surely.
As an Operant serving a questionable international energy, the participant finds themselves locked in a vicious, clandestine wrestle for fact and affect. But it’s the thoughts that takes centre stage in Mission [C4]. Extra susceptible and extra highly effective than the bodily world, it may be erased, modified, reordered, and after all considerably altered by means of common use of psychoactive substances amongst different means. Gamers should metal themselves with no matter consolation they’ll to be able to survive the violent canvas of the true.
Sadly, it is value noting that whereas the studio identify is identical, lots of the individuals who labored on Disco Elysium won’t be engaged on Mission C4. Quite a few former ZA/UM members have left the studio since Disco Elysium’s launch, with a number of conflicting stories surfacing involving accusations of investor fraud and monetary malfeasance, and counter-accusations of some builders making a poisonous work atmosphere. (*2*) endeavored to sum up and reconcile these accounts in a prolonged video report, however the finish consequence has been the splintering of ZA/UM into a number of new studios purportedly engaged on non secular successors, with now what stays of ZA/UM specializing in Mission C4. That leaves little hope left for a real Disco Elysium 2.
We’re anticipating to see extra of Mission C4 from ZA/UM subsequent week on the Recreation Builders Convention.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You will discover her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Acquired a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.