The Perilous Journey of Outlast: How Red Barrels Defied Publisher Skepticism to Create a Horror Phenomenon

Against All Odds: The Birth of a Horror Masterpiece

The Genesis of a Horrific Vision: A Founding Story

Long established as a pillar in the horror gaming landscape with a successful franchise spanning multiple titles and an ongoing multiplayer experience, it's astonishing to recall a period when the very existence of Outlast was uncertain for its developer, Red Barrels.

Overcoming Publisher Resistance: The Mobile Game Predicament

Philippe Morin, a co-founder of Red Barrels, departed from Ubisoft after his proposal for a horror game was rejected and he felt the need for a new creative direction. He then assembled a small, ten-person team comprising experienced developers from various major studios, with their initial concept being a horror title. In an interview, Morin recounted that their initial expectation was to develop a pitch within three to four months and present it to several publishers. However, the feedback was not what they hoped for.

Financial Ventures and Personal Sacrifices: Bringing Outlast to Life

Morin elaborated on how many publishers preferred to invest small sums in numerous mobile games rather than a larger amount in Outlast. This reluctance stemmed from the prevailing mobile gaming craze at the time and the perceived niche market of the horror genre. Despite the genre's resurgence and the release of highly acclaimed titles like Silent Hill and Resident Evil over the past 13 years, horror gaming is still often seen as a smaller segment of the industry. Morin acknowledged that, despite their experience as game developers, the team was unfamiliar with the intricacies of publishing, marketing, and sales, necessitating a steep learning curve.

A Triumph Against Skepticism: The Unforeseen Success of Outlast

Red Barrels ultimately secured funding for Outlast through a publicly funded initiative, the Canada Media Fund (CMF), receiving a substantial one million dollar investment. However, even this significant capital proved insufficient. To complete the project, the developers had to tap into personal savings, utilize credit cards, and even leverage home mortgages, undertaking immense financial risks. Morin reflected on this period, stating that "everything was pretty much on the line" and that the team worked tirelessly in a race against time to release the game before exhausting their funds.

From Niche Concept to Global Phenomenon: The Outlast Legacy

Fortunately, their perseverance paid off handsomely. Within a mere five months, Red Barrels achieved its sales target of 400,000 copies. Although not all sales were at full price, the revenue generated was sufficient to provide the team with "pretty significant bonuses." By 2018, Outlast had sold an astounding 15 million copies and led to the creation of three additional games, including the recent multiplayer horror title, The Outlast Trials. This latest installment impressively reached a peak concurrent player count of 147,955 just eleven days prior, solidifying its standing as a highly successful multiplayer survival horror experience.