We were in a different world back then: the pandemic was hitting us hard, and the lockdowns were just starting to be a thing. Our release plan had to be adapted to be 100% online, as all the trade shows and events had been cancelled by then. It felt a bit strange to be focusing on a videogame while the world outside was upside down, but in a way that kind of helped us go through that period. We had our own world that needed our attention and our focus.
The release was a hell of a day - a mix of anxiety and excitement for finally being able to show the world what we'd been working on for the last couple of years.
We spent the day between streams, interviews and podcasts, while trying to reply to messages, emails and tweets that kept piling on our inboxes. Luckily we had the best team ever on our side - the amazing folks at Wired Productions, who were grinding as much as we were to make that launch a success.
It was a crazy day, but we couldn't have felt prouder, as we knew this was our most intense game to date. It's not just a horror story, it represents a lot more to us. It holds a message about some very delicate topics that are unfortunately too common in our society.
One year later, we can say that it's incredibly satisfying to have received such amazing feedback from the players, especially the folks that drop us an email to say how much they enjoyed their journey through Dormont. It may sound a bit cliché, but it's true: this is what makes it worth.
Games are art, and if it's true that every piece of art carries a bit of its creator with it, then Those Who Remain carries a lot of us in it.
Now it's time to celebrate, so what you say? Shall we head to Dormont once more?
And remember... stay in the light.
