ZA/UM is developing a completely new espionage game instead of Disco Elysium 2.

      ZA/UM

      The next game from developer ZA/UM is titled C4, a brand new espionage title that received a mysterious teaser today. In a press briefing prior to the announcement, ZA/UM confirmed that while the game draws on elements from its previous titles, C4 is not Disco Elysium 2. The announcement of C4 comes more than five years after the launch of Disco Elysium, the RPG that catapulted ZA/UM to prominence in 2019. Although the studio was previously reportedly developing a sequel and a DLC for the latter game, those plans shifted amid various legal issues and layoffs. Now, ZA/UM has disclosed that it has been creating an entirely new game.

      So, what exactly is C4? The initial teaser trailer reveals very little. It features a cryptic monologue about spies alongside surreal visuals. While it does not provide much information, it certainly appears to retain the distinctive style of Disco Elysium. Digital Trends learned a bit more about the game during a pre-reveal press briefing. What is certain is that it is an espionage game influenced by the works of John le Carré and Park Chan-wook. ZA/UM emphasizes that the game takes a focused approach to what the studio excels at, but underscores that it is a fresh game, not Disco Elysium 2. Players can anticipate another dialogue-driven RPG with tabletop mechanics, as encounters will be resolved through dice rolls.

      One additional detail revealed is that failure plays a significant role in C4. ZA/UM describes the game as having a "fail forwards" philosophy, rewarding players rather than penalizing them, similar to Disco Elysium. The studio also insists that its interpretation of spies will not follow the James Bond style. That’s all the information available for the moment.

      C4 comes on the heels of several challenges for ZA/UM. In 2022, the studio parted ways with multiple key figures behind Disco Elysium, including designer Robert Kurvitz, leading to a complicated legal battle between former employees and ZA/UM. During this turmoil, it was reported that ZA/UM canceled both Disco Elysium 2 and a DLC for the original game, codenamed X7. Last year, the studio laid off about a quarter of its workforce, putting various projects in limbo. In the aftermath, three spiritual successors to Disco Elysium have been announced by other studios.

      As Digital Trends' Senior Gaming Editor, Giovanni Colantonio oversees all gaming content at Digital Trends. As an industry veteran...

      The most iconic Mario characters of all time

      We all recognize Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, and Bowser, but the best Mario games have broadened the character roster to include a vast array of allies and adversaries. While very few have their own titles, many participate in games of Mario Party or various sporting events. Admittedly, even Mario's RPGs tend to be light in character development, yet some characters stand out with just a few lines or simply due to their designs. With over three decades of games spanning different console generations, we have revisited the series to evaluate and rank the greatest Mario characters of all time.

      The Mario franchise continues to thrive, leaving room for a forthcoming Switch game to unveil a new character worthy of this list.

      10. Waluigi

      Mario remains a beloved character even after 40 years, and Meghan Trainor knows why.

      Mario is officially reaching a milestone. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the original release of Super Mario Bros, and Nintendo is celebrating Mario Day in style. They are launching a new Nintendo Switch OLED bundle that comes bundled with Super Mario Bros. Wonder, along with inviting fans of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to complete a million combined laps. In addition, several celebrities have been invited to join the festivities.

      Among this year's guests is Meghan Trainor, the Grammy-winning singer known for hits like All About That Bass and Me Too. While it may seem like an unusual celebrity pairing from the outside, this collaboration is meaningful to Trainor, who grew up alongside the character and considers Mario even more significant in her life now that she has children. In an interview with Digital Trends, Trainor reflected on the significance of Mario as a lasting family-friendly icon across generations.

      You can wear the Death Stranding 2 watch, but it comes with a hefty price tag equivalent to three PS5s.

      If Neil's watch caught your attention in the Death Stranding 2: On the Beach trailer, you're in luck: you can purchase that exact model for yourself. However, the downside is that it costs as much as three PS5s, or two PS5 Pros along with some games. Essentially, the price of the watch is $1,500 (and could be even higher).