The video game industry is abuzz with controversy following allegations made by Argo Tuulik, a writer of the critically acclaimed RPG Disco Elysium. Tuulik, who recently co-founded the independent game studio Summer Eternal, revealed that he is embroiled in a legal battle with Riaz Moola, the founder of a competing RPG studio, Longdue. This dispute has resulted in an injunction that prevents Tuulik from working on or promoting Summer Eternal’s projects until April 2025.
Injunction Granted Against Tuulik
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tuulik shared details of the legal action. He claims that CoGrammar, a tech skills training company founded by Moola, acted on Longdue’s behalf to secure the injunction. “CoGrammar on behalf of Longdue and Riaz Moola has taken me to court and was granted an injunction against me, preventing me from working on anything Summer Eternal related till April 2025,” Tuulik wrote.
Moola, who is known for his entrepreneurial background and a spot on Forbes’ 30-under-30 list, has ventured into the RPG space with Longdue, a studio reportedly inspired by the innovative style of Disco Elysium.
Allegations of Coordinated Legal Pressure
Tuulik did not stop with accusations against Moola and Longdue. He also implicated his former employer, ZA/UM, the studio behind Disco Elysium. According to Tuulik, ZA/UM has joined forces with Moola to stifle his new venture. “The Za/Moola—Riaz/UM alliance has been behind my legal struggles and silence as of late,” Tuulik alleged in his post.
To substantiate his claims, Tuulik shared copies of legal notices sent by ZA/UM and CoGrammar. ZA/UM’s letter accused him of “Breach of Contract, Breach of Confidentiality, and Copyright Infringement,” while CoGrammar alleged “serious breaches of your legal obligations to the company.”
Adding to the intrigue, Tuulik stated that anonymous tips had been sent to the press suggesting conflict between him and another Disco successor studio, Dark Math.
Who Is Riaz Moola?
Riaz Moola’s emergence in the Disco Elysium saga has raised eyebrows. Known for his work in tech and education, Moola is also the chairman of Longdue and reportedly has connections to Dark Math, another studio formed by former ZA/UM developers. Dark Math’s upcoming title, XXX Nightshift, was announced alongside projects from both Summer Eternal and Longdue.
Interestingly, a journalist revealed that Moola had once contacted them from a Dark Math Games email address, further blurring the lines between Longdue and Dark Math. Both studios claim to employ former Disco Elysium developers, adding another layer of complexity to the competition.
Statement from Longdue
Following Tuulik’s allegations, Longdue issued a statement addressing the controversy. “Following public comments made by Argo Tuulik, we can confirm that an independent judge has ruled in Longdue’s favor in a court hearing over a week ago. We have tried to deal with this matter privately for the sake of everyone involved, but given Argo’s public comments, we feel it is necessary to respond to clarify some key facts,” the statement read.
A Legacy Splintered
Tuulik was a prominent contributor to Disco Elysium, best known for creating memorable characters like Cuno and the Hardy Boys. He was laid off from ZA/UM in February, reportedly due to the cancellation of a standalone expansion to the game. His new studio, Summer Eternal, has been viewed as one of the most exciting offshoots of the original Disco Elysium team, making this legal roadblock all the more impactful.
Industry Impact
The feud between these parties sheds light on the challenges faced by developers in the wake of Disco Elysium’s massive success. With multiple successor studios vying for attention, the legal drama could set a precedent for how intellectual property and talent are managed in the gaming industry.
As Tuulik fights his legal battles, the gaming community eagerly awaits further developments from Summer Eternal, Longdue, and Dark Math. For now, the world of Disco Elysium continues to be as dramatic offscreen as it is in the game.
