Ron Gilbert found a private investor for Thimbleweed Park 2 — and explains why he skipped traditional publishers

Thimbleweed Park 2 is in development with a 2028 target, and creator Ron Gilbert has now explained how it got funded: a wealthy private investor with no industry ties who simply loves adventure games and the original Thimbleweed Park.

Gilbert spoke to Bloomberg about why he avoided the traditional publisher route entirely. His core frustration: publishers want a majority cut even after they've recouped their investment, and some deals are structured so developers see almost nothing unless the game is a massive hit. "I always felt that was unfair," he said. The alternative came through a friend who passed along a contact — someone loaded, outside the industry, and already a fan of the first game. Gilbert was skeptical at first, noting this kind of approach had come up before without going anywhere, but he asked for the email anyway. He then put together what he describes as "a very realistic" budget covering two years of development — more than the original's $1 million, adjusted for inflation and with better pay for the team. The investor agreed to the terms, and Gilbert says the arrangement is structured so the backer recoups quickly, followed by a reasonable revenue split. "This deal is a lot more fair," Gilbert said.

Thimbleweed Park originally launched in 2017 after a successful Kickstarter campaign, with Gilbert and Gary Winnick — veterans of the classic LucasArts adventure era — leading development. The sequel isn't a straight continuation or a prequel, but Gilbert has said the concept grew partly from wanting to address how players reacted to the ending of the first game. The funding model here is a throwback to old-school arts patronage, and in a climate where publishers are consolidating, studios are closing, and mid-budget games struggle to find backing, it's a genuinely unusual path to production.

No further details on the investor have been shared, and Gilbert hasn't elaborated on the story specifics to avoid spoilers. With a 2028 release window still on the table, there's plenty of development time ahead — but at least the money question has an answer.