ZA/UM has announced that it is reducing its workforce after saying Zero Parades: For Dead Spies did not generate enough commercial success to support the studio at its current size.
In a statement, the Disco Elysium developer confirmed it has issued redundancy or at-risk notices affecting up to 32 employees across all departments.
The studio said, “Today, we are sharing difficult news. While ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies was released to critical acclaim, its commercial performance has not enabled us to sustain a studio of our current size.”
It added, “We have served redundancy or at-risk notices impacting up to 32 of our colleagues across all departments at ZA/UM Studio. 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 said it has continued to consult with representatives of the ZA/UM Workers’ Alliance throughout the process and stressed that the restructuring would not change the studio’s creative ambitions.
“This changes the shape of ZA/UM, but not its purpose. Our artistic standards remain unchanged: we will persist,” the statement reads.
The developer also encouraged other studios to consider hiring affected employees, saying, “To anyone currently hiring, please consider the colleagues leaving ZA/UM.”
Released on May 21, 2026, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is a single-player isometric espionage CRPG that focuses on dialogue, investigation and psychological role-playing rather than traditional combat. The title received critical praise but, according to ZA/UM, was unable to achieve the commercial performance required to sustain the studio’s existing workforce.
