Veljo Hagu was the first Unity developer hired on Disco Elysium. He shaped the game’s unique skill system and translated ambitious vision into groundbreaking gameplay.
Before you dive into this interview, don’t forget to wishlist Hopetown on Steam to follow development and help us reach more players.
Hopetown Inspirations: The History of Disco Elysium as told by Veljo Hagu | Part Two: Technical Origins
In this interview, Veljo reveals:
How 24 skills stayed narratively impactful without becoming min-max puzzles
Why removing combat opened space for narrative innovation
The biggest technical challenge: marrying dense narrative with reactive systems
His advice for developers: execution matters more than perfect vision
"The first time I heard Mikee Goodman's narration in the beginning dialogue, I got goosebumps. It was just that powerful."
Veljo's approach to integrated systems and team momentum influences Hopetown's development today.
Veljo at work (photo provided by Veljo Hagu)
Closing Note
Hopetown lives in the space between the real and the surreal — a world that feels remembered, but not quite yours. Every detail in Hopetown — from a fragment of dialogue to the way memory twists — is shaped by the writers who breathe life into its world. Gerard's work helps ensure the town feels alive: imperfect, layered, and impossible to forget.
Read the full interview here.
Join the Conversation
We’re building more than just a game — we’re building a community. Share your thoughts, theories, and favourite details from Martin's interview in our Discord.
And don’t forget to wishlist Hopetown on Steam.
Until next time,
— The Hopetown Team