Dear Esther developer Robert Briscoe joins Valve Software

Dear Esther developer Robert Briscoe has announced he is taking a break from the indie scene in order to work for Valve Software.

Briscoe previously worked for DICE before going the indie route and creating Dear Esther with The Chinese Room.

Speaking in a blog post, Briscoe said he decided he needed a break from "the solitary life" he's been living these past years.

"I think I need to be around people for a while; a lot of my energy and enthusiasm comes from being in the presence of people, sharing different ideas, methods and techniques, different views, outlooks and inspirations, and mostly by just being out of my comfort zone," he said.

"Over the past 11 months I’ve been in the process of applying for a US work visa, which was successfully approved a couple of months ago, and consequently, as of March 20, I will taking a break from indie development and moving to Seattle to spend some time working on cool stuff with a company I’ve long since admired: Valve Software."

Briscoe said the bulk of the Dead Esther port for Unity is finished, with just "backend and scripting stuff remaining."

"I should be easily able to finish things off in my spare time, plus I have the team of talented people at TCR to help me along the way if needed," he said. "So things will very much carry on as normal with that. "

He goes on to say that outside of Valve he still has a few things in mind he wants to create in the future, "both independently and with TCR" and has "no doubt" of his return to indie games down the line.

"I will be still tinkering with stuff on the side for some time… but for now I think I just need a change… to make hats… cuz that’s what Valve do these days right?"

Briscoe left no hints in his blog post regarding what he may be working on at Valve.

Thanks, Blue.