Studio Abattoir has entered into a global publishing partnership for Silver Lining Interactive to publish The Pines. With this, the studio hopes to finally be able to bring this psychological horror RPG title to players around the world.
Studio Abattoir is a game studio that was literally founded from a basement. In particular, the game was created by Kevin Jochems, who was born and raised in the Netherlands. He became obsessed with game development after learning about the Unreal Engine while creating client work. This eventually resulted in what is now The Pines. Helping solo developer Kevin Jochems with the game is Daphne Betten for the key artwork and Yaron Mesika, who contributes motion capture and voice acting.
Talking about the game, Kevin Jochems shared in a statement that The Pine was developed around a twisted premise which is a self-help book that comes to like and it is worse than imagined. He added that by partnering with Silver Lining, they'll be able to have the "platform, reach, and independence" that's needed to deliver the game without the need to compromise. Meanwhile, Silver Lining Head of Marketing Ross Griffith said that they hope to be able to bring a terrifying atmosphere to life.
A Mystery
The story follows former detective Edward Walker who, after a case goes cold, becomes exhausted and now desperate for peace. His therapist tells him to consider travelling to The Pines, a secluded retreat that promises quiet, recovery, and therapists on site. Initially, it appears to be the perfect place for Edward to leave his troubles behind. The truth is, underneath all the calm exterior, there is something deeply wrong.
Psychological Horror
The Pines features an open world that's waiting to be explored. There are dark things that lurk among the trees and it's up to the players to discover its secrets, get to know its residents, and uncover the truth behind the retreat’s carefully constructed facade. In the game, the choices matter and shape not only Edward’s story, but also the lives and fates of those who live there.
The Pines is set to be released in 2027. Wishlist the game on Steam now.