ZA/UM, the studio known for Disco Elysium, has unveiled a new project, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies. The first gameplay video was shown during State of Play. The release is scheduled for 2026 on PS5 and PC.
The creators call the game a spiritual successor to Disco Elysium. The plot centers around Herschel, a gifted but unlucky agent forced to survive in a world of paranoia, betrayal, and inevitable failures.
As in the studio's previous project, the emphasis is on a deep narrative RPG with many choices and a constant balance between success and failure. ZA/UM describes the game as a "spy role-playing drama built on paranoia, surrealism, and the pursuit of redemption."
Among the new mechanics is the "Dramatic Encounters" system — tense scenes where time freezes and the player needs to make a quick decision. The outcome depends not on action, but on dice rolls and character stats. Even experienced agents can fail, reflecting the philosophy of "failure is also a path forward."
Another feature is the "Exert" system. It allows you to take a risk by adding an extra die to the roll. The chances of success increase, but at a certain cost.
The game also includes a "Conditioning" system, developing the ideas of the "thought cabinet" from Disco Elysium. Herschel will be able to consolidate certain ideas, which affects skills, behavior, and mental stability. But this also comes at a cost, showing the psychological price of espionage and survival under pressure.
The game can be added to the Steam wishlist.
