Bilgesu Erdem
The indie gaming community is facing a sobering reality as The Glory Society has shelved its project, Revenant Hill, an ambitious game that was poised to be the spiritual successor to the beloved title Night in the Woods. The pause comes as the cooperative development team grapples with the sudden departure of integral members due to significant health challenges.
Revenant Hill promised a return to the quaint yet complex world akin to its predecessor, this time through the eyes of Twigs the cat. The year is 1919, and players would have explored a rich narrative infused with supernatural elements, from conversing with ethereal entities to engaging in the earthly tasks of farming to pay the rent. The unique blend of day-to-day survival and mystical encounters was to be the core of this experience, set against a backdrop that was both hauntingly beautiful and brimming with potential adventure.
However, the realities of health crises have brought these creative endeavors to a halt. The studio’s candid announcement shared the depth of the impact: the loss of key members not easily replaced in a team where versatility is vital. Budgets, schedules, and the daunting prospect of restructuring the project under these new constraints led to a mutual decision to suspend operations.
Despite the suspension, the cooperative’s commitment to its team’s well-being over the project’s continuation is a poignant reminder of the human element often overlooked in game development narratives.
Revenant Hill’s development involved a collaboration with Finji for publishing, while Secret Lab was behind the game’s dialogue system. The creative soundscape was to be shaped by Priscilla Snow, known for her work on Immortality, and A Shell in the Pit, who were responsible for sound design.
A testament to the game’s potential, Revenant Hill was unveiled with anticipation at a PlayStation Showcase, indicating strong support from the console giant and a vote of confidence in the project’s premise and artistic direction.
The ripple effect of the game’s cancellation is felt across the community, with stakeholders from QA personnel to marketing teams left pondering the implications. The collective hope is pinned on a future where the efforts poured into Revenant Hill can be shared and celebrated, not as a completed chapter, but as a testament to the journey of creation and the resilience in the face of adversity.
This development, while disheartening, serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of creative ventures in the face of unforeseen personal tribulations and the profound impact such events can have on small, closely-knit teams in the gaming industry.
