### The Unnamed RPG by Ron Gilbert: A Canceled Dream

In May of last year, renowned game designer Ron Gilbert, known for his work on the legendary “Monkey Island” series, stirred excitement within the gaming community by announcing the development of a new RPG. This project was marketed as a blend of classic Zelda gameplay, the dark aesthetics of Diablo, and the unique storytelling found in “Thimbleweed Park,” another of Gilbert’s acclaimed creations. Despite the promising blend of influences, the game never received a full reveal and has ultimately been shelved.

In a recent interview with Ars Technica, Gilbert discussed not only his new release, “Death by Scrolling,” but also the challenges and eventual cancellation of his unnamed RPG. After years of crafting adventures in titles like “Thimbleweed Park” and “Return to Monkey Island,” the designer was eager to explore new creative avenues. He invested significant effort by hiring an artist and another designer, dedicating a year to this ambitious project.

However, the dream of creating an expansive open-world RPG was hampered by several pragmatic issues: insufficient manpower and financial resources. Gilbert candidly expressed, “I just [didn’t] have the money or the time to build a big open-world game like that.” He contrasted the venture with options available to other developers, suggesting that such projects typically require either years of dedication as a passion project or substantial investment to cover the necessary costs.

Securing funding proved to be more challenging than Gilbert anticipated. His attempts to pitch the RPG to various publishers were met with disappointing offers. He stated, “The deals that publishers were offering were just horrible,” revealing that the concept of a retro-style Zelda game is not seen as lucrative by many in the industry. Publishers viewed the project as a risky investment, lacking the blockbuster appeal that would warrant significant financial backing.

Crowdfunding avenues were also less promising than in times past. While Gilbert’s previous project, “Thimbleweed Park,” successfully raised over $600,000 through Kickstarter, he highlighted that private investors still contributed around half of the game’s budget. The fluctuating dynamics of crowdfunding can make it a less viable option for developers, especially for those not looking to rely solely on fan funding.

Ultimately, the story behind Gilbert’s canceled RPG serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities involved in game development. Beyond the technical challenges in creating engaging gameplay, financial necessities often dictate the viability of a project. As the gaming industry evolves, the barriers faced by creators like Ron Gilbert prompt an ongoing conversation about how to support innovative game development in the face of economic realities.