ZA/UM has issued redundancy or at-risk notices to up to 32 employees on July 17, 2026, citing a gap between the critical success and commercial performance of its...
The layoffs follow the May 2026 PC release of Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, an isometric espionage RPG.
The studio confirmed it is working with the ZA/UM Workers' Alliance to manage the reduction in staff.
ZA/UM has issued redundancy or at-risk notices to up to 32 employees on July 17, 2026, citing a gap between the critical success and commercial performance of its latest title, Zero Parades: For Dead Spies. According to the studio’s announcement on Bluesky, the company cannot sustain its current team size despite the game’s positive reception.
The layoffs follow the May 2026 PC release of Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, an isometric espionage RPG. The game centers on Hershel Wilk, a female operative uncovering secrets regarding her past. While the title earned an 8/10 from GameSpot and an 83 score on Metacritic, ZA/UM stated the commercial results made the current employee count unsustainable.
ZA/UM Personnel Cuts and Worker Alliance Consultation
The studio confirmed it is working with the ZA/UM Workers’ Alliance to manage the reduction in staff. The company maintains that these changes will not alter its artistic standards or its core purpose.
“Throughout this difficult process, we have continued to consult and work with representatives of the ZA/UM Workers’ Alliance,” the studio wrote on Bluesky. “This changes the shape of ZA/UM, but not its purpose. Our artistic standards remain unchanged: We will persist.”— ZA/UM via Bluesky
This is the second major project from the developer since the 2019 release of Disco Elysium. A PlayStation 5 version of Zero Parades: For Dead Spies is scheduled to launch later in 2026.
Broader 2026 Gaming Industry Layoffs
The reductions at ZA/UM occur during a period of widespread instability across the games industry. Several major publishers and studios have reported significant staff cuts or closures throughout 2026.
Following Up Disco Elysium with ZERO PARADES: For Dead Spies
Xbox implemented a “reset” in July 2026, which resulted in the termination of 1,600 employees. The company plans to cut an additional 1,600 staffers over the following 12 months.
Other notable industry closures and layoffs in 2026 include:
Sony shut down Bluepoint Games in February 2026.
Riot Games cut staff from the 2XKO development team in February 2026.
Full Circle, the studio behind Skate, conducted layoffs in February 2026.
