Overview of Black Salt Games and Dredge
Ahead of the March 2023 launch of the fishing horror game Dredge, the New Zealand-based studio Black Salt Games, consisting of a four-person team, was optimistic about their project. Having spent a decade at a work-for-hire studio, they developed Dredge over two years, hoping to sell at least 30,000 copies for it to be considered a success.
Unexpected Success
On its first day, Dredge sold 100,000 copies, surpassing expectations significantly by reaching a million sales by October. This unexpected success raised new questions for the team. According to producer and CEO Nadia Thorne, they found themselves pondering, “Where do we go from here?” rather than the anticipated “How do we make ends meet?”
Staying Independent
Thorne emphasizes the importance of remaining a small team to maintain creative control. They preferred self-publishing to ensure they kept a grip on their projects without losing freelancers who contributed valuable knowledge during development.
In September 2023, Black Salt Games announced Saltworks Entertainment, a publisher label to market and release their next title, along with titles from other studios.
Expansion and New Projects
One such spinoff is Disc 2 Games, working on Canvas City, a lighter, turn-based tactics game, contrasting sharply with the tone of Dredge. Thorne manages both studios, emphasizing the need to maintain distinct identities to cater to different audiences effectively.
A third studio, Team Trifold, is also under the Saltworks Entertainment umbrella, working on a top-down roguelike called Nothing Lost. All studios operate within the same Christchurch office.
Creative Constraints and Future Aspirations
Reflecting on Dredge‘s success, Thorne believes that their constraints were crucial to the game’s atmospheric design. The limited team meant fewer characters but a more profound sense of isolation, contributing to the game’s eerie feel. Despite their success, the team aims to avoid overextending themselves on future projects, aspiring to produce numerous unique games over their careers.
Community Engagement
How do you feel about Black Salt Games exploring different genres? If you’re in the indie game development scene, what are your thoughts on self-publishing? Share your views in the comments!
