Summer Eternal to Reveal Debut Game Exclusively on Vinyl and Art Book

Getting the first look at a new video game typically involves watching a digital trailer or reading a press release online. Summer Eternal, the RPG studio and worker collective founded by former ZA/UM writers Argo Tuulik and Dora Klindžić, is taking a radically different approach. They plan to unveil their debut project exclusively through a premium, analog package consisting of a 150-page art book and a vinyl record, completely bypassing traditional digital marketing channels.

This unique reveal will happen through “Anthology Volume One,” which the collective describes as a hybrid publication. It functions as part cultural journal, part development diary, and part exclusive game announcement. By pre-ordering this anthology, supporters gain entry into a globally-coordinated reveal event that unfolds through physical media rather than social media posts. The entire package is being crafted by small, worker-led teams comprising creatives, developers, artists, and musicians.

The concept is certainly unconventional, but it stands out as a genuine surprise in an industry often saturated with predictable marketing cycles. It feels refreshingly distinct from the bombastic but sometimes derivative trailers or the many promising indie games that lose momentum during early access. The collaboration with established independent UK publisher Peregrine Coast adds credibility, suggesting this is a high-quality product that leverages the distinctive visual identity Summer Eternal has already cultivated.

Pricing for the anthology is positioned at a premium level. The book alone costs €69, while a bundle that includes the book and a 7″ vinyl record featuring the project’s first two soundtrack tracks is priced at €99. This investment reflects the quality of the materials and the artistic collaboration, positioning it as a worthwhile collectible compared to many lower-quality video game collector’s editions. The studio has stated that revenue from these sales will first compensate the artists and collaborators directly, with any remaining funds being used to finance their first game, currently codenamed Red Rooster.

The background of Summer Eternal’s founders provides compelling context for this ambitious venture. Argo Tuulik and Dora Klindžić are former writers from Studio ZA/UM. Tuulik is widely recognized as the creator and primary writer for Cuno, the memorable and complex character from Disco Elysium. Together, they were the principal writers and originators of a canceled ZA/UM project known internally as X7 or Locust City. Leaked information suggested this Disco Elysium spinoff would have allowed players to alternate control between Cuno and Cunoese, each with unique skills. One particularly inventive planned feature was a management sim minigame centered on a cardboard box full of locusts that Cuno carried, where players could influence a civilization developing inside. The project’s creative, off-the-wall ideas generated significant excitement before its cancellation.

The path for Tuulik and Klindžić has not been smooth. After announcing Summer Eternal, they faced a legal injunction from a UK court issued on behalf of Longdue, the studio behind the Disco Elysium-inspired RPG Hopetown. Longdue’s founder, Riaz Moola, alleged the writers violated a non-compete clause from their previous employment. Tuulik and Klindžić contend they have been unfairly targeted, arguing that the clause does not apply to game development as they worked for a different company owned by Moola, not in a game development role. This legal dispute ultimately led them to relocate from the UK to Croatia, a move funded through a public GoFundMe campaign. These events are detailed further in a follow-up documentary by People Make Games.

While the original Studio ZA/UM is moving forward with its own new title, a spy thriller called Zero Parades set for release next year, its initial showing seemed to play it safe, bearing a strong resemblance to its predecessor. Meanwhile, other studios formed by key Disco Elysium alumni, like Red Info and Dark Math Games, are developing their own projects, though details remain scarce. For many fans who have grown weary of the legal battles surrounding Disco Elysium’s legacy, the Summer Eternal Anthology represents a tangible, creative step forward. It’s not the game itself, but it is a unique and compelling artifact that lets the work speak for the creators.

(Source: PC Gamer)