Black Salt Games, known for creating the game Dredge, has launched a new independent studio called Team Trifold under the recently unveiled Saltworks Entertainment label

Nothing Lost. Stylized warrior with pink hair and a determined expression, wielding a glowing green sword and surrounded by ethereal blue flames. — Image credit: Team Trifold/Nothing Lost

The creators behind Dredge, Black Salt Games, have established a new entity named Team Trifold and introduced a fresh publishing initiative, Saltworks Entertainment. This new setup will extend services such as production and marketing to both Team Trifold and Black Salt Games, as well as to fellow indie developer Disc 2 Games, all sharing a workspace in Christchurch.

Saltworks Entertainment assembles expertise in various areas including quality assurance and audio, ensuring all three independent studios gain from the collaborative resources. This collective effort supports their creative autonomy while enhancing their operational capabilities.

The debut project from Team Trifold, titled Nothing Lost, is financially backed by Black Salt Games as a follow-up to their previous success. Executive producer Nadia Thorne discussed with GamesIndustry.biz how the project also benefits from New Zealand's Game Development Sector Rebate, fostering a stable environment for the team.

This rebate program previously helped studios increase revenue significantly, supporting a thriving industry environment. The sustainability of Saltworks Entertainment is emphasized through its strategy of fostering connections between small, yet ambitious, teams, highlighting a model adaptable for the future.

The formation of Team Trifold includes members Jed Uy as artist and writer, Wilson Teo in production and quality assurance, and Carl Johnson working as the programmer. Each brings extensive industry experience, maintaining a focus on user engagement through iterative design processes and playtesting.

Nothing Lost gameplay. An overhead view of a stylized battle scene in a video game, featuring cartoonish characters clashing with swords and magical effects. — Team Trifold aims to "turn the roguelike loop on its head" by using death as a core progression mechanic | Image credit: Team Trifold/Black Salt Games

Nothing Lost is inspired by the anime Shaman King, and the team seeks to innovate within the roguelike genre by using a death-centric progression system. This is meant to alleviate the traditional penalties associated with death in gaming by offering rewards instead.

Uy explained the excitement of combining cultural mythologies and unique game mechanics to create a compelling storyline. Team Trifold believes clarity in communicating their design concepts is crucial in differentiating their work within a saturated market.

Teo added that effective feedback loops from playtesting are key to staying aligned with their design principles, ensuring the core gameplay experience remains robust.