Tim Soret, the director behind the long-gestating cyberpunk-styled 2D side-scrolling action-platformer The Last Night, has finally broken his silence. In a message shared via Steam News, Soret offered a small but sIGNificant update on the project that was first revealed at E3 2017, suggesting that the end of a decade-long development journey may finally be in sight.
The update, which was also covered by IGN, comes after years of near-total radio silence from Soret and his studio. While the message doesn’t confirm a specific release date, it does offer a tantalizing hint: “Next month, if everything goes according to plan, I should be out of a decade of sacrifice,” Soret wrote. The statement suggests that the game could finally be nearing its long-awaited launch, a moment that fans have been anticipating for nearly a decade.
Beyond the timing, Soret’s message is notably reflective, touching on the game’s themes, his journey to independence, and why he believes The Last Night will resonate more now than it would have when it was first announced.
A Story That Became More Relevant Over Time
Soret took time in his update to address the game’s thematic core, acknowledging that the world has caught up with the vision he had nearly a decade ago. “When The Last Night will come out, it won’t be as visionary as when it was originally conceived,” he admitted. However, he quickly pivoted to a more optimistic framing: “But we traded prescience for relevance. Thanks to the evolution of technology and social dynamics eerily matching the trajectory we envisioned, the setting and the story will resonate.”
This is a striking admission from a developer who has spent years crafting a narrative about a world shaped by technology and social change. Soret believes that the game’s story will resonate more when it actually comes out than it did when it was announced nine years ago, precisely because the real world has moved closer to the dystopian vision he and his team imagined. For fans who have followed the game since its stunning E3 2017 reveal, this suggests that the long wait may have inadvertently made the game more impactful.
The Road to Independence and a ‘Cemetery of Indie Studios’
In his message, Soret also opened up about the challenges of staying independent in an industry that often pushes developers toward acquisition. He described building “a sovereign self-publishing studio with its own IPs, technology, visual design, world design, game design, and narrative design philosophies, in direct contact with the audience and no middlemen.” This path, he noted, was not easy, but it was one he does not regret despite the added financial pressures.
Soret expressed gratitude to his “angels and investors, who helped us resist drinking from the poisoned well in the desert while finding our path to independence.” He also offered a stark warning about the fate of many indie studios that choose a different route: “There is a cemetery of indie studios that, lured by mirages of safety, accepted to be acquired only to be killed in the first storm.”
This candid reflection highlights the precarious nature of indie development and the difficult choices studios face. Soret’s decision to remain independent has clearly shaped not only the development of The Last Night but also his broader vision for his studio’s future.
What’s Next for Soret and The Last Night?
While Soret’s update is light on concrete details, his closing words suggest a sense of relief and renewed energy. “It’s about time. I’m just getting started. I have so much to offer to the world,” he wrote. This hints that The Last Night may be just the beginning of a larger creative journey, with Soret positioning himself to continue producing work that challenges and engages audiences.
For now, fans are left to parse the meaning of “next month” and whether it signals a release date, a beta, or simply a milestone in the game’s development. Given the game’s history of delays and silence, many will remain cautiously optimistic. However, Soret’s message is a clear sign that the project is still alive and that its creator is more determined than ever to see it through.
As the gaming community waits for official confirmation, the update serves as a reminder of the passion and perseverance that goes into bringing a vision to life, especially one that has been in the making for nearly a decade. Whether The Last Night finally arrives next month or later, Soret’s words suggest that the wait may soon be over.
