Legendary game developer Ron Gilbert, best known for co-creating the iconic Monkey Island series, is bringing his next adventure game to life through a unique funding model. Instead of pursuing traditional publisher deals or crowdfunding, Gilbert has secured a private investor to fully finance the development of Thimbleweed Park 2. This decision stems from years of dissatisfaction with publisher terms, which he argues often leave creators with unfavorable arrangements even after recouping investment.
Gilbert, who has been in the industry for approximately 40 years, explained in a recent interview that while he has not universally had negative experiences with publishers, their deal structures have become increasingly problematic. He noted that even after publishers recover their initial investment, they often retain the majority of subsequent profits or impose terms that mean creators only profit if the game becomes a major hit. This, he feels, is an unfair practice.
Following his tenure at LucasArts, where he contributed to classics like Maniac Mansion and Monkey Island, Gilbert established his own studio, Terrible Toybox. In 2014, the studio successfully raised over $600,000 on Kickstarter for Thimbleweed Park, a retro-style point-and-click adventure released in 2017. The game garnered critical acclaim and has reportedly sold more than 300,000 copies.
Motivated to create a sequel, Gilbert found himself at a familiar crossroads when publishers expressed interest but offered terms he deemed unsatisfactory. His blog post from January detailed his frustration with these potential deals. The situation shifted when a friend connected him with a wealthy individual outside the gaming industry who was a significant fan of Thimbleweed Park and expressed a desire to fund its successor. Initially skeptical, Gilbert engaged with the potential investor, who proved serious about the proposition.
Gilbert presented a two-year development budget of just over one million dollars for Thimbleweed Park 2, emphasizing a realistic plan that prioritized proper compensation for the development team. The investor accepted the plan, leading to an agreement that Gilbert described as superior to any publisher deal he had previously encountered. Thimbleweed Park 2 is now in development, with an anticipated release in early 2028.
Gilbert remains confident in the market for this style of game, citing the continued sales of the original Thimbleweed Park nearly a decade after its release. He interprets this as evidence of a dedicated audience for classic adventure games. The success of this private funding model for Thimbleweed Park 2 suggests a potential alternative for developers seeking greater autonomy and fairer financial terms.