Former The Chinese Room co-head Jessica Curry has shared new details on her next game, revealing a return to basics for the upcoming project. The award-winning composer and game developer, known for Dear Esther, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, spoke ahead of BAFTA Games in Concert arriving in Birmingham this weekend.
BAFTA Games in Concert in Birmingham
Curry, who composed the BAFTA-winning score for Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, will hear her music performed live by an orchestra at the Symphony Hall on Saturday, 6 June. Tickets remain available for the event, which celebrates video game soundtracks.
Reflecting on Dear Esther's Success
Curry recalled the unexpected success of Dear Esther, which began as a mod for a PhD project by her husband, Dan Pinchbeck, to test immersion. After artist Robert Briscoe revamped the visuals, the game was released commercially on Steam in 2012. "We watched these numbers going up and up and up. All of a sudden it had sold 50,000 pounds worth of gains, which for us was mind-blowing," Curry said. She noted that indie games like Stardew Valley show the trend, but added that their success was "the right thing at the right time."
Collaborative Creative Process
Curry emphasized the collaborative nature of her work with Pinchbeck, which began before Dear Esther. "Dan in every game that we've made has never just come with a finished script. He'll give me a few lines, I'll write some music, that goes to an artist," she explained. This holistic approach, she believes, made their games stand out, contrasting with the typical filmic method where composers are brought in at the end. She cited Austin Wintory, who worked similarly on Journey, as another example.
Music as a Dynamic Element
Curry discussed how her role as co-founder allowed her to shape game design around music. In Everybody's Gone to the Rapture, she requested level redesigns to sync music with character movement. "If you were a normal composer who tried that, they'd say, 'Who are you? No.' But because I was involved in everything, we could craft these exceptional scenes," she said. The game featured six character themes, travelling music, filmic set pieces, and aleatoric generative sections.
Venturing into Horror
Curry also reflected on working on Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, noting its tonal difference. She revealed that she and Pinchbeck had just listened to test vinyl pressings of the soundtrack. "It is a really frightening soundtrack. I've kind of forgotten how much dread there is in it," she said, adding that she would like to do more horror as it suits her temperament.
Next Game Details
Curry confirmed that she and Pinchbeck are making another game, though it has not been announced yet. "We've gone right back to basics. It's very small, but it is about England, but it doesn't look like Everybody's Gone to the Rapture," she said. She described it as "totally different" and influenced by post-pandemic experiences and AI. When asked about a release timeline, she said, "Soon I think. It's not a secret."
Live Orchestra Experience
Curry shared the emotional impact of hearing her music performed live. "You sit there absolutely dreading there being silence when the music stops. But luckily, people were really warm and generous," she said. She recounted fans sharing stories of burying loved ones to the music of Rapture, calling it "extraordinary." The concert served as a "beautiful summation" of her achievements in the challenging games industry.
