ZA/UM Studio Lays Off Up to 32 Employees After Weak Zero Parades Sales

ZA/UM Studio, the developer behind *Disco Elysium* and the May-2024 release *Zero Parades: For Dead Spies*, announced via its social-media channels that it will issue redundancy or at-risk notices to as many as 32 staff members across all departments. The company attributes the cuts to the title’s “weak commercial performance,” which it says “has not enabled us to sustain a studio of our current size.”

Engadget

The layoffs follow a series of post-launch challenges for ZA/UM. After the critical and commercial success of *Disco Elysium* in 2019, the studio experienced internal conflict, including the dismissal of two co-creators, a lawsuit over alleged intellectual-property theft, and accusations of a hostile work environment for women. Former employees subsequently founded separate studios such as Longdue Games, Darkmath Games, and Summer Eternal. Earlier in 2024 the studio conducted an undisclosed round of layoffs, and in October 2025 workers formally unionized, reporting roughly 100 employees worldwide. The current reduction would therefore affect about one-third of the workforce.

UM Studios to lay off up to 32 employees

In its announcement, ZA/UM emphasized that *Zero Parades* received positive critical reviews but failed to generate sufficient revenue to maintain the existing staff levels. The company highlighted that departing employees “made a lasting difference” on the project and affirmed that it is “continuing to consult and work with representatives of the ZA/UM Workers' Alliance.” The statement concluded with an appeal for other developers to consider hiring the affected workers.

UM Studios to lay off up to 32 employees

Commentators note that the layoffs underscore ongoing instability at ZA/UM, linking the decision to earlier disputes over leadership and workplace culture. Observers have pointed out that the studio’s reliance on a single new title for financial viability raises concerns about its long-term sustainability, especially given the prior exodus of key creative talent.

UM Studios to lay off up to 32 employees

• “served redundancy or at-risk notices impacting up to 32 of our colleagues across all departments at ZA/UM Studio.” — ZA/UM Studio, social-media post

Engadget

• “has not enabled us to sustain a studio of our current size.” — ZA/UM Studio, social-media post

Engadget

• “ This news comes from the company's social media accounts, where it posted a statement that concluded with an appeal for other developers to consider hiring the impacted workers.” — ZA/UM Studio, social-media post

UM Studios to lay off up to 32 employees