Indie Horror Game Ritual Tides: Why Vertpaint Chose Freedom Over a Publisher

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In recent times, independent game developers have soared to great heights within the contemporary gaming landscape, leading to a surge in innovative and daring projects. With fewer restrictions imposed by traditional publishing channels, these developers are able to explore unusual gameplay dynamics, more profound and thought-provoking storylines, and topics that may give established publishers pause. The development of Vertpaint’s upcoming horror game Ritual Tides exemplifies this trend, as it has enabled the team to embrace bolder risks than they might have done otherwise.

Game Rant recently conversed with James Macleod, CEO and creative director of Vertpaint, about the development, design, plot, and mechanics of their upcoming horror game, Ritual Tides. During the discussion, Macleod shared a lot of details about Ritual Tides, but seemed particularly enthused to discuss why Vertpaint opted for independence rather than a publisher for this upcoming project.

Why Ritual Tides Benefits From Having an Independent Developer

Ritual Tides’ Story Is Exceedingly Dark

For many independent video game creators like Vertpaint, deciding whether to collaborate with a publishing company or continue independently is a significant crossroads. This choice ultimately boils down to the developer’s creative vision. In the case of Vertpaint, the decision to remain autonomous in developing their game, Ritual Tides, wasn’t based on arrogance or obstinacy. Instead, it was about preserving the narrative they wanted to share through this project. When asked to explain the advantages of bypassing an external publisher for Vertpaint’s creative process, Macleod responded, [explaining how not partnering with a publisher has positively impacted their creative process].

As a game developer, I can confidently say that our upcoming project deeply resonates with the game’s narrative context. However, articulating its unique selling points to a publisher feels like an uphill task. When viewed from a broader perspective, I could easily pitch it by highlighting our favorite games, the ones that have inspired us, and what we aim to contribute freshly to this established formula.

We can delve into the technical aspects, discussing mechanics, but when it comes to the storyline, there’s an undercurrent of apprehension. This unease, I believe, is a testament to our commitment to creating something genuinely original and thought-provoking.

As a creator eagerly sharing my vision with the world through Ritual Tides, I must admit, there’s an unusual apprehension brewing within me. This trepidation, I’ve come to realize, stems from the gravity of the tale I wish to unfurl. Unlike many horror games that thrive on eerie atmospheres and startling jumpscares, Ritual Tides seeks to delve into uncharted territories, crafting a narrative that is as dark and disquieting as Macleod put it, “a good sign of unease perhaps.”

In our pursuit to push boundaries, Vertpaint intentionally embraces this uncomfortable space, a decision that might have been diluted under the scrutiny of a more commercially conservative approach. Macleod further emphasized, “We’re nervous about this, and that’s probably good.

The narrative of this story contains intensely dark themes, portraying a grim depiction of an ominous force. The darkness isn’t included for shock value but serves to illustrate the malevolent nature of certain characters in the game. Instead of sugarcoating or avoiding these aspects, we chose to delve deeper into them as they are integral to creating the game’s eerie atmosphere.

A Publisher Would Have Limited Vertpaint’s Creative Freedom

A significant portion of Vertpaint’s apprehension might be better characterized as prudent caution, given their background in senior development at Rockstar Games. With such extensive experience under their belts, they possess a keen understanding of what projects are likely to succeed once they cross the publisher threshold. In wrapping up his thoughts on this topic, Macleod summed it up by saying…

Working directly with a publisher might have restricted certain aspects of our project. However, having gained experience in multiple companies, we’ve encountered situations where ideas were discarded, often referred to as the “cutting room floor”. This has given us insight into what can and cannot be accepted. Given that these elements contribute significantly to our game’s narrative, we feel it would be unusual not to incorporate them. The themes we’re delving into within this game are quite dark, which is exactly what excites us and drives our creative process.

Ritual Tides might not be simple to promote as a game, nor does it fit neatly into the catalog of a typical external publisher, but that’s exactly the idea. Vertpaint’s choice to stay independent stands as a testament to the belief that stories worth sharing can make players uneasy, and these narratives shouldn’t lose their grit due to a publisher’s apprehension. Instead of following the conventional path of marketing a video game, Vertpaint is choosing to boldly tell an unpolished and captivating story.

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2025-03-28 16:04