gaming

Anonymous wealthy backer funds Thimbleweed Park 2 after Gilbert rejects publishers

Ron Gilbert is making Thimbleweed Park 2 after an anonymous wealthy fan agreed to fund the project. Gilbert rejected conventional publisher deals—he objected to contracts that left developers with little revenue after recoupment or that paid developers only if the title became a major hit—and he declined to run another Kickstarter. The original Thimbleweed Park cost just over $1 million; Gilbert set a larger, realistic budget for the sequel and the backer accepted terms where they recoup quickly and then profits are split more evenly, allowing the sequel to proceed without a publisher.

• Gilbert turned down publisher offers because their contracts typically demanded the majority of revenue after recoupment or included clauses paying developers only if the game was a major hit.
• Gilbert refused to pursue another Kickstarter as an alternative financing route.
• The first Thimbleweed Park cost just over $1 million; Gilbert prepared a higher, “very realistic” budget for Thimbleweed Park 2.
• An anonymous wealthy fan agreed to fund the sequel and accepted a deal to recoup investment quickly and then share profits on a more even split, enabling development to move forward.