Hopetown: The Spiritual Successor to Disco Elysium Redefines Psychological RPGs

Hopetown, the spiritual successor to Disco Elysium, promises to redefine the psychological RPG genre with groundbreaking mechanics and a world shaped by your words. Set in a mining town, you play a rogue journalist navigating the protagonist’s fractured psyche and the town’s crumbling social system.

Hopetown: The Spiritual Successor to Disco Elysium Redefines Psychological RPGs
In the world of video games, few titles have left as lasting an impact as Disco Elysium. The game’s unique blend of psychological depth, philosophical richness, and narrative complexity has captivated players and inspired a new generation of game developers. One such project is Hopetown, the spiritual successor to Disco Elysium, announced by independent studio Longdue. This new game aims to build on the work established in both Disco Elysium and Planescape: Torment, promising to redefine the psychological RPG genre with groundbreaking mechanics.

The Concept of Hopetown

Hopetown is set in a mining town on the verge of collapse and reinvention. You assume the role of a rogue journalist investigating the town’s secrets and crumbling social system. This character is described as a chaotic, self-destructive provocateur who sees humanity as inherently selfish and cruel. The game’s world is shaped by your words, making choices that leave their mark on the environment and the people around you1.

The Psychogeography System

One of the most exciting features of Hopetown is the psychogeography system. This system transforms how players interact with the game world by using emotions, memories, and conversations as tools to unlock doors, alter landscapes, and reshape relationships. Unlike traditional RPGs where progress is about solving puzzles or finding items, Hopetown focuses on navigating the protagonist’s fractured psyche and the ripples it creates in the environment1.

The Journalism-Based RPG System

Hopetown also introduces a new journalism-based RPG system. This system gives you the tools to craft stories that shape the world—and yourself. You can choose to be a gonzo journalist spinning wild narratives, a conspiracist bending events to suit your worldview, or a calculated investigator exposing brutal truths to spark rebellion—or sow complacency5.

The Development Team

Longdue, the studio behind Hopetown, comprises former staff from Disco Elysium as well as industry veterans with credits on Cult of the Lamb and The Witcher universe. The team includes Piotr Sobolewski, who worked on Disco Elysium’s system design, and other notable developers from Bungie and Rockstar3.

Crowdfunding Campaign

To support the development of Hopetown, Longdue has announced a crowdfunding pre-launch. A limited number of registrations are available at www.longduegames.com, offering first access to a limited set of backer rewards when the campaign goes live. This campaign is a crucial step in bringing this ambitious project to life and engaging the community in its development1.

1. What is Hopetown?
Hopetown is a psychological RPG that aims to redefine the genre with groundbreaking mechanics and a world shaped by your words. It is set in a mining town and follows the story of a rogue journalist.

2. What is the psychogeography system?
The psychogeography system in Hopetown uses emotions, memories, and conversations to interact with the game world. It replaces traditional mechanics like keys and levers, allowing players to unlock doors, alter landscapes, and reshape relationships.

3. How does the journalism-based RPG system work?
The journalism-based RPG system in Hopetown gives players tools to craft stories that shape the world—and themselves. Players can choose to be a gonzo journalist, a conspiracist, or a calculated investigator.

4. Who is behind the development of Hopetown?
Hopetown is developed by Longdue, an independent studio comprising former staff from Disco Elysium and industry veterans with credits on Cult of the Lamb and The Witcher universe.

5. How can I support the development of Hopetown?
You can support the development of Hopetown by registering for the crowdfunding pre-launch on www.longduegames.com. Early registrants will get first access to a limited set of backer rewards when the campaign goes live.

Hopetown promises to be a groundbreaking addition to the psychological RPG genre, building on the success of Disco Elysium and Planescape: Torment. With its innovative psychogeography system and journalism-based RPG mechanics, Hopetown offers a unique gaming experience that will captivate players. The involvement of experienced developers and the community-driven crowdfunding campaign ensure that this ambitious project will deliver a rich and immersive experience for fans of the genre.