The video game industry has been no stranger to layoffs and upheaval, and the recent cuts at ZA/UM, the studio behind the acclaimed RPG Disco Elysium, were no exception. However, the developers behind this poignant game are not letting that setback define their future. Instead, they are banding together to create a new studio, Summer Eternal, with a mission to challenge the status quo and push back against the encroachment of "Big Tech" on the art of video game development.

Reclaiming the Creative Spirit in Gaming

Embracing a Worker-Owned Model

According to the Summer Eternal website, the new studio will be worker and player-owned, a departure from the traditional corporate structure that has often been criticized for prioritizing profits over creative expression. This model aims to empower the developers and give them a greater stake in the success of their projects, fostering a more collaborative and fulfilling work environment.

Pushing Back Against Industry Challenges

Disco Elysium writer Dora Klindžić's blunt assessment that "this industry is finished" speaks to the frustrations many developers have faced within the gaming landscape. However, Klindžić and her colleagues are not content to simply lament the industry's shortcomings. Instead, they are taking a proactive approach, using Summer Eternal as a platform to "push back against Big Tech's encroachment on the territory of our art."

Embracing an Accelerationist Mindset

Summer Eternal organizer Aleksandar Gavrilović echoes Klindžić's sentiment, suggesting that the only way to achieve better conditions in the industry is to "enter crises which underline the contradictions of society and force us to remake the world." This accelerationist view reflects a belief that disrupting the status quo is necessary to drive meaningful change.

Focusing on the Art, Not the Audience

Klindžić emphasizes that the team at Summer Eternal will be "working as artists do, which means both eyes on the work, not one on the audience and not one on the competition." This focus on the creative process, rather than external factors, suggests a desire to recapture the essence of game development and prioritize artistic expression over commercial considerations.

Continuing a Legacy of Iconic RPGs

While Klindžić has made it clear that fans shouldn't expect another Disco Elysium from Summer Eternal, the studio is working on a "spiritual successor" to the game, drawing inspiration from beloved RPG franchises like Baldur's Gate, Fallout, and Icewind Dale. This suggests that the team is committed to crafting a new, innovative experience that builds upon the legacy of these iconic titles.

Embracing Uncertainty and Opportunity

Despite the challenges facing the gaming industry, the developers at Summer Eternal seem to be embracing the uncertainty and viewing it as an opportunity to reshape the landscape. Klindžić's tongue-in-cheek suggestion that Summer Eternal might "generate a panacea for agriculture, astronomy, inaccurate bus timetables, those hoax messages that target your mom, local elections, and syphilis" underscores the team's willingness to think outside the box and tackle problems beyond the confines of the gaming industry.As the video game industry continues to grapple with upheaval and uncertainty, the emergence of studios like Summer Eternal offers a glimmer of hope. By prioritizing worker-ownership, artistic expression, and a commitment to challenging the status quo, these developers are poised to redefine the creative landscape and inspire a new generation of game makers to follow in their footsteps.