The indie RPG Disco Elysium from developer ZA/UM became a surprise hit in 2019. Equally surprising, but much more controversial, is a fan item of the game that leaves many fans astonished and calls into question the game’s anti-capitalist stance.
What is this fan item? It is an item called Eternal Carrier (in German “Ewiger Träger”), which is currently available for purchase in the ZA/UM Atelier. The Eternal Carrier is a tote bag styled like a trash bag, reminiscent of a yellow plastic bag in Disco Elysium, with which players can collect bottles and other items from trash cans in the game. In the game, these bags can be found on the street; in reality, you can now buy them online for a measly 159 €.
“The last tote bag you will ever need,” states the developer’s online shop. The bags are said to be “incredibly light yet extraordinarily durable” due to their material, which presumably justifies the high price. A luxury trash bag for the discerning fan. Gamers can hardly comprehend what ZA/UM was thinking with this move.
Here you can see the trailer for the game:
Capitalism Satire or Madness?
What is the irony of the tote bag? Disco Elysium presents not only its RPG elements and an extraordinary art style but also a critical perspective on capitalism. For this reason, the question arises why and how ZA/UM demands such a high price for a trash bag, and why it was produced at all?
The next likely reason is a satirical reference to capitalism itself. A trash bag that players pick up from the ground in the game to collect more trash and bottles for a paltry wage, and thus can earn a bit of money. With a stylish presentation, staged by models, and sold for nearly 160€ in the online shop, the reference is perfect. However, it is not just a pure reference, but a real product that can be bought with real money.
How are the fans reacting? A Reddit post about the luxury trash bag clearly shows how depressing the situation is for fans of Disco Elysium, and that they do not know whether to laugh or cry.
- coralfire comments: “This is just ridiculously ultraliberal.”
- theSWW responds with: “To the point where it has to be ironic. Or? Please??? It’s a damn trash bag!”
- luseen_ says: “This is the extent of greed that the Bible speaks of.”
- majorgeneralporter thinks: “This is such a meta cash grab that it will be repurposed into performance art. Absolute cinema.”
What can Disco Elysium do today? The “Final Cut” version of the RPG, with a Metascore of 97, was the top game of 2021 and continues to be very positively received by players on Steam. Everyone can decide for themselves whether they want to buy luxury trash bags for 159 €, or rather four times the actual game itself. How wise these decisions are is up for individual interpretation. However, anyone interested in Disco Elysium can find out more here: Disco Elysium is the new hit on Steam – Here’s why everyone is raving about the RPG
