The minds behind Disco Elysium are back with Hopetown, an ambitious RPG developed by Longdue Games. The project reached its Kickstarter goal in a stunning 200 minutes.

The collapse of ZA/UM shook the gaming industry. The celebrated studio behind Disco Elysium lost its core creative team due to internal conflicts over the franchise’s direction. In October 2024, several of those developers founded Longdue Games, aiming to create a spiritual successor to their groundbreaking RPG. Their efforts are already paying off—within just over three hours, they secured the funding needed to continue work on Hopetown.

A Star-Studded Development Team

Longdue’s roster includes former ZA/UM veterans alongside prominent industry figures such as Kentucky Route Zero developer Ben Babbitt and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt composer Pawel Blaszczak. Additionally, Lenval Brown, the unforgettable voice of the narrator in Disco Elysium, is set to portray a key character in Hopetown.

With this impressive team, Longdue launched a Kickstarter campaign for Hopetown, a psychogeographic RPG set in a decaying mining town. Players take on the role of a cynical, self-destructive journalist, shaping the world around them through the stories they write and the choices they make. Much like Disco Elysium, the game prioritizes deep narrative-driven gameplay, character relationships, and emotional storytelling.

A Crowdfunding Triumph That’s Only the Beginning

Kickstarter campaigns can be a double-edged sword, leading to either overwhelming success or bitter disappointment. In this case, the studio has hit the jackpot. As stated on their website, the campaign’s goal isn’t just to fund development—it’s also meant to expand the game’s artistic and gameplay ambitions while proving to investors that Hopetown has an eager audience.

Although the Kickstarter is only a supplementary source of funding, and 29 days remain in the campaign, Longdue has already nearly doubled its initial goal, securing €44,311 in just three hours. Backers can claim exclusive rewards, such as deluxe editions, art books, and even opportunities to appear in the game’s credits or design in-game elements. The legacy of the Disco Elysium team has earned the trust of many players, driving strong early support.

With crowdfunding in full swing, Longdue invites players to be part of a project that aims to redefine psychological RPGs. The game’s release date remains uncertain, and while the Kickstarter page suggests a 2028 target, many supporters hope for an earlier launch.

Source: 3DJuegos