Studio Says Rue Valley Got Positive Feedback from Disco Elysium Creators

Indie developer Emotion Spark Studio revealed that the team behind Disco Elysium dropped by the studio. There they tried the demo for Rue Valley and praised the game.

Development for Rue Valley started in 2020 with a team of four. The team took inspiration from other titles like Outer Wilds and Disco Elysium. The visit in particular was done by creators Robert Kurvitz, Aleksander Rostov, and Helen Hindpere. The studio shared their insights which validated the team’s creative vision. They also provided invaluable feedback that helped refine its core elements.

One of the visitors was Kurvitz, who is known for his groundbreaking work in Disco Elysium and his novel Sacred and Terrible Air. According to the studio, he drawn to the game’s isometric art style and dialogue system. During one particularly challenging moment in gameplay for example, his genuine excitement upon overcoming it electrified the entire team and reinforced their belief in the depth and engagement of the game.

Meanwhile, Hindpere played the demo separately. He described the game as both familiar while at the same time refreshingly original. She said she recognized similarities in storytelling tools and dialogue mechanics but emphasized that the game managed to carve out its own path.

Finally, there is Rostov, the visionary art director of Disco Elysium. He delved into the visual identity of Rue Valley. During a follow-up visit to the studio, he engaged in an in-depth discussion regarding the game's art style and even suggested thoughtful improvements like adding character shadows casting on themselves, which left a lasting impression on the team.

In a statement, Emotion Spark Creative Director Marko Smiljanic said that the experience was surreal. He added that meeting the creators of Disco Elysium was “both humbling and motivating.” He also said that getting their feedback and seeing them enjoy the game was indeed a dream come true for the entire team.

Rue Valley is a narrative RPG having Visual Novel elements. It tells the story of a man trapped in a time loop and surrounded by a colorful cast with complex emotional stories. To deal with mental challenges, the main character must rise from the depths, delving into the anomaly to uncover its enigmatic origins. Get Rue Valley on Steam now.