Indie Game Company: Black Tabby Games

Introduction: It is time to discuss an Indie Game Company that has recently caught my eye. Black Tabby Games recently released a game called Slay The Princess which has exploded in popularity. I would like to discuss the company and show some appreciation for this game that hasn't been able to leave my head for nearly a month now.

Indie Developer Profile: 

Black Tabby Games is an indie game development studio known for creating immersive and narrative-driven experiences. The studio was founded by Abby Howard and Tony Howard-Arias, a married couple with diverse backgrounds in the creative and tech industries. They are based in Toronto, Canada, where they live with their pets: a cat named Spoons, a snake named Wednesday, and an axolotl named Nubs. I wish I was them, I love animals so much and I always wondered what it is like to have an axolotl. 

Origins and Team: Abby Howard is an acclaimed cartoonist with works like The Last Halloween and The Crossroads at Midnight. Her artistic talents are evident in the hand-illustrated art of their games. Tony Howard-Arias has a background in technology and publishing, having built organizing technology for political campaigns before co-founding Black Tabby Games​. Both of them seem incredibly sweet and come from humble beginnings. 

Notable Projects: Scarlet Hollow is a horror visual novel set in a small town with supernatural occurrences. The game emphasizes immersive decision-making, realistic NPC relationships, and significant narrative branching. It has received positive reviews for its storytelling and atmosphere, with over 98% positive reviews on Steam. The game is being released in seven episodes, with three currently available​. Personally, I have not played Scarlet Hollow but I have seen some playthroughs of it and researched quite a bit on the game. It seems very similar to Slay the Princess but with different themes and stories. 

Slay the Princess is another major project from Black Tabby Games. It combines elements of cosmic horror, black comedy, and romance. The game features a fully-voiced narrative and complex branching paths, making each playthrough unique. Basically, it feels as if The Stanley Parable and a horror movie had a child. The game successfully garnered significant attention, with 25,000 wishlists on Steam within two weeks of its demo release. I have seen many playthroughs and played the game myself; I am in love with this game, and it is currently my favorite game of this year.  

Technological and Artistic Approach: Black Tabby Games is known for its distinctive hand-illustrated art, primarily created by Abby Howard. Their games often blend humor with horror, creating a unique emotional experience. They utilize a variety of tools for game development, focusing on creating immersive and branching narratives that keep players engaged and invested in their choices. The art style is simply beautiful and so comforting. In a way, it feels nostalgic but I can't quite explain how. 

Industry Collaborations and Achievements: The studio has collaborated with Serenity Forge for publishing Slay the Princess on multiple platforms, including PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC. This partnership has helped the game reach a broader audience. Scarlet Hollow was named Game of the Year 2021 by Kotaku editor John Walker, showcasing the studio's capability to create critically acclaimed content.

 

Challenges and Criticisms: Like many indie developers, Black Tabby Games faces balancing creativity with financial constraints. While they have received praise for their storytelling and artistic style, they must continuously navigate the competitive indie game market to sustain their operations and reach their audience effectively. Something to note is that point-and-click-styled adventure games typically are cheaper and easier to make compared to super interactive games. Given this company seems very small and somewhat new, I am guessing these developers are working with what they have. Not to say that in a bad way or anything, but they are pushing the boundaries of point-and-click style adventure games to their limit, and the hard work shows. Despite the concept being used countless times, they managed to create a new and fresh spin on this genre of games. 

Conclusion: Black Tabby Games stands out in the indie game development scene for its unique blend of horror and humor, hand-drawn art, and compelling narratives. With successful titles like Scarlet Hollow and Slay the Princess, the studio has made quite the name for themselves. Their dedication to storytelling and immersive experiences continues to resonate with players and critics alike. I know that I will remember these games for years to come.