Black Salt Games, known for creating Dredge, has recently launched a new studio called Team Trifold. They have also introduced a white-label publisher named Saltworks Entertainment, which will offer various services to all three studios, including Disc 2 Games, another indie studio from New Zealand.
Saltworks is described as a hub of expertise in production, marketing, QA, localization, audio, business operations, and publishing. The three studios, located in Christchurch under the same roof, will maintain their creative independence.
Black Salt Games is backing Team Trifold’s debut game, Nothing Lost, following the success of Dredge. Nadia Thorne, the developer’s executive producer, shared with GamesIndustry.biz, “We are also benefiting from New Zealand’s Game Development Sector Rebate, which allows Team Trifold to focus on creating a strong game like Nothing Lost.” Earlier reports showed a 17% revenue growth to $829 million for studios supported by the rebate.
Thorne emphasizes the importance of sustainability at Saltworks Entertainment, focusing on a “multi-studio strategy” to support indie game development. “Small teams creating ambitious indie games that are not hardware-intensive can be a resilient model for the future,” she says. By connecting these studios, they aim to share experiences, resources, and support without overextending any one studio.
Team Trifold comprises three members: Jed Uy (artist and writer), Wilson Teo (production and QA), and Carl Johnson (programmer). Uy highlights the significance of iteration and playtesting, underscoring the need for solid design pillars to guide creative and technical decisions.
Team Trifold’s vision for Nothing Lost involves reimagining the roguelike genre by incorporating death as a core progression mechanic. Inspired by the anime Shaman King, the team aims to introduce a death-based crafting system that adds depth to the gameplay experience.
Teo echoes Uy’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of playtesting and staying true to the game’s design pillars. Despite the competitive nature of the roguelike market, Team Trifold believes in clear communication of their unique game loop to engage players effectively.
