No publishers wanted Outlast because they'd 'rather invest $50,000 in 10 mobile games' so Red Barrels relied on public investment programs and their own savings instead

Outlast, a renowned horror game, once faced uncertainty in its release due to publishers' preference for mobile games. Red Barrels, the developer, struggled to find interest in their horror game concept, even after forming a small 10-person team. The investors were more attracted to mobile games, valuing a $50,000 investment in 10 mobile games over $500,000 in Outlast.

The developers, while experienced, lacked knowledge in publishing and marketing, forcing them to learn on the job. Ultimately, they turned to the Canada Media Fund for financial support, investing $1 million of their own savings and credit cards to bring Outlast to life. Despite the financial risk and long hours, the game sold 400,000 copies within five months, leading to significant bonuses for the team.

Outlast has since sold over 15 million copies and spawned three more games, including the multiplayer horror game The Outlast Trials.