Creator Ron Gilbert has shared new details on how Thimbleweed Park 2 secured its financial backing for PC, bypassing traditional publishing deals in favor of a private benefactor.
Quick Facts
- Announced last month as currently in development for a planned 2028 release.
- Funded by a wealthy private investor who is a fan of the original Thimbleweed Park.
- The budget covers two years of development and accounts for inflation alongside higher pay for staff compared to the first game.
When planning the sequel, Gilbert chose to steer clear of major publishers. In an interview with Bloomberg, the developer pointed to restrictive contract terms common in the industry, where publishers demand a majority share of profits even after recouping their initial investment.
After outlining a realistic two-year development budget that exceeds the original game's $1 million cost, a friend connected Gilbert with an independent investor outside the video game industry. Following discussions, both parties agreed on terms that Gilbert described as significantly fairer, allowing the investor to recoup costs quickly followed by a reasonable revenue split.
Development and Story Origins
The concept for the sequel stemmed from a one-page story written by Gilbert to address reactions to the ending of the first game. The new budget ensures that all developers working on the project are paid better than during the production of the original title.