Disco Elysium’s creators drew inspiration from Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity, crafting the RPG’s unique visual style like a tribute band.

Disco Elysium is celebrated as one of the most innovative and distinctive games ever created, but its roots can be traced back to earlier inspirations. The team at the original ZA/UM drew significant influence from Obsidian’s Pillars of Eternity, which played a key role in shaping the game’s visual style.

“I was the first person to ever work with a game engine in the history of ZA/UM,” artist Siim Raidma shares in a recent documentary. “On my very first day at the studio, I was shown this incredible new game, and we aimed to surpass its visuals. That game was Pillars of Eternity.”

Obsidian, known for its expertise in RPG development, had gained recognition for creating sequels to popular franchises, including Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 and Fallout: New Vegas. In 2012, they launched a Kickstarter campaign for Pillars of Eternity, seeking support for a new intellectual property designed in the isometric style reminiscent of classic RPGs like Baldur’s Gate.

“The Obsidian team was making their triumphant return with Pillars of Eternity,” fellow ZA/UM artist Aleksander Rostov recalls. “We observed how they crafted a modern isometric game, utilizing render passes of height maps and normal maps for lighting. We thought, ‘We should definitely borrow that technique.'”

Raidma adds, “I think it had just launched on Kickstarter, and there were numerous updates for backers. During the first week, we meticulously analyzed their vlog video, number 79, frame by frame. It detailed their graphics update, explaining how they rendered their visuals. We were essentially trying to create our own version of Pillars of Eternity, with a flat world and 3D characters. All the lighting was done using shaders, along with some dynamic lights.”

The influence of Pillars of Eternity continues with Obsidian’s Avowed, a larger-scale 3D RPG set in the same universe. However, its impact extends even further, having helped to define the visual identity of what is now considered one of the greatest RPGs of all time. Clearly, Obsidian knows how to craft compelling experiences.

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