Chapter 1: The Love for Night in the Woods

As a huge fan of Night in the Woods (2017), an adventure puzzle game centered on a college dropout unraveling a dark secret in her hometown, I found solace in its narrative. The game, funded through Kickstarter, also saw the release of a companion game, Longest Night, in 2013. I stumbled upon it thanks to the Irish YouTuber Jacksepticeye, whose gameplay made me realize its affordability on Steam. After a few challenging weeks at business school, I would escape into my gaming setup, diving into the storyline featuring Gregg and Angus—my favorite characters—where I aimed to navigate their relationship challenges.

I was thrilled to hear that The Glory Society, the worker-owned cooperative studio behind Night in the Woods, was developing a new game titled Revenant Hill. This prequel would introduce an immortal cat journeying through various eras, showcasing the studio's signature animation style in a haunting depiction of Pennsylvania's socio-economic struggles.

The trailer piqued my interest, revealing a non-anthropomorphic cat traversing through time, witnessing changes in both landscape and culture, while highlighting the unchanged human psyche. It suggested an exploration of our repetitive, sometimes harmful patterns across generations—an enticing premise for gamers.

However, the unfortunate news arrived: the development of Revenant Hill has been canceled. The Glory Society may also be on a break.

Chapter 2: The Impact of Health on Creation

Reports from The Mary Sue and The Verge indicate that the cancellation stemmed from serious health issues faced by two crucial team members. Scott Benson was diagnosed with heart failure in 2023 and made the difficult yet correct decision to prioritize his health. While this is undoubtedly the right choice, it stings emotionally. Let’s send our best wishes to Scott for a swift recovery and a peaceful holiday season.

Just as Night in the Woods holds personal significance for me—allowing me to relive cherished memories with my father through the character Mae Borowski—its creators also poured their personal struggles into the game's narrative. The question arises: was their pain worth the outcome? I firmly believe that a creator's health should always take precedence over their work. The alternative—burnout and chronic injuries—should be avoided at all costs.

The tragedy deepens with the story of Alec Holowka, whose untimely death followed allegations of abuse and harassment. Scott shared his experiences in a heartfelt Medium post, revealing the emotional toll Alec's behavior took on both him and Bethany Hockenberry during their collaboration. This situation not only disrupted the project's progression but also brought significant financial risks to light. After a public confrontation on Twitter, Alec finally agreed to fulfill his commitments.

The sadness surrounding these events is profound. Night in the Woods has provided me with comfort, and I had hoped Revenant Hill would offer a fresh narrative rooted in love rather than stress, free from Alec's influence. Unfortunately, that dream is now on indefinite hold, leaving behind the pain endured by Scott and Bethany. It feels unjust that someone as talented as Scott is facing such health challenges at a young age.

The gaming community has become increasingly aware of the struggles and pressures involved in game development, thanks to the bravery of creators sharing their experiences. From corporate layoffs to the hurdles indie developers face during fundraising, the impacts are evident and troubling.

My greatest hope is for The Glory Society to focus on their well-being and recover. They have gifted us a story that has provided comfort over the years.

Interstellar Flight Magazine continues to explore the realms of speculative fiction. As Ursula K. Le Guin aptly noted, we need "writers who can see alternatives to how we live now... and even imagine real grounds for hope." Join our community on Patreon, and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.