The Return of The Invisible Hours: Rob Yescombe’s Vision for a Remaster
For those unfamiliar, The Invisible Hours is a unique title developed by the now-defunct Tequila Works, a game studio recognized for its notable releases such as Rime and Gylt. Tequila Works closed its doors following financial challenges exacerbated by the cancellation of their publishing partner, Riot Forge, which stifled funding opportunities for upcoming projects. As a result, the studio auctioned off its intellectual properties and assets — a rare occurrence in the gaming industry.
If you were a dedicated fan, you had the chance to bid on the rights to these beloved games. Rob Yescombe, the lead writer known for his work on titles like The Division, Arizona Sunshine II, and notably The Invisible Hours, recognized a significant opportunity amidst the closure.
“When we made this game with Tequila Works, I knew this was a rare opportunity. When a company shuts down in Spain, its assets and IP go to auction. It is incredibly unique for an artist to have the chance to own their work.”— Rob Yescombe
Yescombe seized this moment, as he held a deep affection for The Invisible Hours, citing it as “the best creative experience of my life.”This sentiment reflects the profound connection he fostered with the game’s creative team, particularly Raúl Rubio, the creative director. Their collaboration on Rime had established a strong foundation of trust which carried over into the development of The Invisible Hours.
After acquiring the rights in June, Yescombe announced ambitious plans to remaster The Invisible Hours for contemporary headsets, including Meta’s Quest 3 and PlayStation VR2. Upon completion, he envisions transforming the game experience into a screen adaptation, either as a film or television series.
While contemplating changes to the original game, Yescombe expressed a desire to enhance its social elements, indicating that a more communal gameplay experience could resonate well with today’s gaming landscape. He suggested incorporating timed challenges that prompt players to collaboratively explore the story and uncover its mysteries.
“I’d love to find a way to make it more social. Imagine exploring the mansion with friends and discussing what you discovered after each chapter. That would be an exciting addition!”
Yescombe is not looking to establish a new studio for this project but plans to partner with an existing team equipped to handle the remaster. This strategic approach takes into consideration the challenges many start-up game studios face, particularly in an ever-competitive industry where many have failed to elevate their debut titles successfully.
Intrigued by his choice to remaster the game before moving on to adaptations, I asked Yescombe about balancing his writing career in films versus games. He explained:
“Writing games creates a collaborative product between me and the player, which makes the experience unique. It’s all about the interaction that turns the game into living art.”
Yescombe expressed excitement about leveraging the advancements in virtual reality (VR) technology since the original release of The Invisible Hours. Despite doubters regarding VR’s growth trajectory, he believes that the present landscape, with millions of potential users, positions the remaster as both a modern product and a opportunity for new gamers to experience a title that previously went unnoticed.
Highlighting the accessibility features of The Invisible Hours, he noted how its gameplay doesn’t heavily rely on complex mechanics but instead invites players to absorb the story and engage with characters in a flexible manner. This design allows even those new to gaming to enjoy the immersive experience, akin to stepping into a theatrical production.
While we await the remaster and potential on-screen adaptation, Yescombe’s passion and dedication provide hope for fans eager to revisit The Invisible Hours. He also hinted at an undisclosed project in collaboration with Will Byles, the writer of The Quarry and Until Dawn, which promises further exciting developments in his career.
“I can’t share details yet, but there’s something special in the works with Will Byles that I’m really looking forward to!”
Thank you to Rob Yescombe for sharing his insights and vision for the future of The Invisible Hours. This interview has been edited for clarity.
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