tilted-mill-entertai... posts

What other features do you have planned for the game?

Right now we are focused on creating a game with a really solid foundation, and making sure that it functions the way we want, is fun to play, and feels right. This means that down the road we will be able to build on this foundation, ensuring that expanding the play in a certain direction will always be fun.

You are going with a download-only business model for the game. Why are you doing this in lieu of shopping the game around to a more traditional retail publisher?

The short answer is, because we can do it this way ourselves. We have been approached by a few publishers, and we are talking to them, but we don't want the game to be dependent on an external party like that.

Do you feel the future of the PC game industry is in downloadable titles?

No one has asked me that question so directly, but I guess the answer is yes, I suppose I do think that. I'm pretty sure that's where our future lies. I would broaden and clarify that, though, to of course include MMO's, which may not necessarily be distributed by download only, but obviously by their nature are very well suited to the PC platform. And there will always continue to be big PC titles sold at retail, no question about that. I think the more in depth answer is that distribution by download will serve a huge number and variety of titles and users, will provide an in road to smaller, more innovative titles, some of which will "break through" to retail, though the majority won't. And a great many will be perfectly "happy" as downloadable only – players will love them, they'll make money, etc. I think the way I'd put it is that one of the unique things about the PC is that it is ubiquitous, and we are all just now starting to see that, I think. I think the recent rise of casual games, now aimed at what used to not be considered part of PC gaming, is a great example of this.


Will Tilted Mill update Hinterland with new content and expansions after the game has been released?

Absolutely! We're already cooking up new ideas to develop the game further.

Will there be a free demo of the game available before the full game is released?

That is the plan, though the timing might not be before the game is released.

What hints can you give us about Tilted Mill's future plans beyond Hinterland?

Hmm... let's see... we have three or four titles in the works, all coming out pretty soon. We'll be releasing more information about them in the coming weeks. One is related to Children, the other is going to explore some innovative game mechanics not in an RPG, city building, but still in a historic game...

Finally is there anything else you wish to say about Hinterland and Tilted Mill's new direction in general?

Our hope and belief is that there is not only room for a lot of different types of games in the PC space, but that there is in fact a need and craving for more variety and innovation, and for games that focus less graphics and technology (in addition to those that do focus on those things, which is appropriate for some), and that games of all levels and varying scope can coexist peacefully. We're not out here to buck the establishment, so much as to contribute to the establishment of a new paradigm for PC games, which I think is already underway.

Massachusetts based game developer Tilted Mill has been working on both their own projects and games for other publishers for the past several years. This year, however, the developer is taking matters truly into their own hands with the release later this year of the fantasy strategy-RPG Hinterland. Tilted Mill won't be working with a big publisher on this title but rather will make it available via digital download.

Big Download got a chance to chat with Tilted Mill co-founder Chris Beatrice to find out more about their plans for Hinterland along with their recent re-release of their first game Children of the Nile along with his views of the PC game industry in general and where he sees it going in the future.