In a surprising turn of events, Dredge, the cosmic horror fishing game developed in New Zealand, has exceeded all expectations by selling over 1 million units since its launch in March 2023. Black Salt Games, the studio behind the game, recently shared this impressive milestone with Game Developer during an interview at PAX Aus 2023.
Producer Nadia Thorne expressed her initial hopes for the game, stating, “We hoped to maybe sell 100,000 copies in our first year… that would have been amazing. That was a top estimate when we were setting our expectations.” Little did they know, Dredge would go on to surpass these expectations by a whopping tenfold.
Thorne revealed that Dredge achieved its 100,000 sales target within a mere 24 hours of its release. The game’s success can be attributed to its exceptional quality, as described by the GamesHub review, calling it “a masterclass in atmosphere, worldbuilding, tactile mechanics, and game flow.” Clearly, players were captivated by the unique and immersive experience Dredge offered.
A Small Team with a Big Impact
Remarkably, the core team at Black Salt Games consists of only four individuals: producer Nadia Thorne, programmer Joel Mason, and artists Alex Ritchie and Michael Bastiaens. Their dedication and passion for the project have clearly paid off, as Dredge continues to capture the hearts of gamers around the world.
Additionally, the publishing partnership between Black Salt Games and UK-based Team17 has proved to be instrumental in Dredge’s success. Team17 has gained recognition for its ability to spot and promote promising titles from Australia and New Zealand, including Moving Out 2, Hell Let Loose, and Conscript. With their support, Dredge was able to reach a wider audience and gain the traction it deserved.
Expanding the Cosmic Universe: The Pale Reach
Looking ahead, Black Salt Games has exciting plans for the Dredge universe. Their first paid expansion pack, The Pale Reach, is set to release in November 2023. Originally, the studio had announced the DLC as The Iron Rig; however, due to strategic marketing reasons, its release was postponed to 2024. Despite this setback, fans eagerly anticipate the new content and the opportunity to further explore the hauntingly beautiful world of Dredge.
With the incredible success of Dredge and the unwavering dedication of the Black Salt Games team, it is safe to say that this cosmic fishing game has left a lasting impression on players and the gaming industry as a whole. As the studio continues to innovate and expand upon their captivating universe, fans can expect even more enthralling experiences in the future. Dredge has proven that even a small team can achieve monumental success when armed with a unique concept and unwavering determination.
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