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Spilt Milk Studios founder Nicolas Lovell argues that a single budget figure can misrepresent how an indie game is funded and developed. The studio estimates Gobble Inn could cost between £250,000 and £2.5 million, with spending plans tied to crowdfunding, Early Access demand and the game’s eventual scope. Lovell says Trash Goblin’s Kickstarter supplied about 10% of its total budget, despite being widely viewed as a crowdfunding success.

Spilt Milk Studios says its next game, Gobble Inn, could cost anywhere from £250,000 to £2.5 million, depending on how development and player demand unfold. In an opinion piece, studio founder Nicolas Lovell argues that a single budget figure can be misleading for an indie game whose scope may expand or contract at successive funding and release milestones.

Lovell bases the argument partly on Trash Goblin, Spilt Milk’s cosy shop simulation. The studio launched a Kickstarter campaign in November 2023, after 74 publishers had turned the game down, according to Lovell. He says the campaign helped keep the project and studio alive, but crowdfunding made up only about 10% of the game’s total budget through its 1.0 release.

The studio’s account divides the funding among several sources. Players contributed through the Kickstarter and through Early Access revenue reinvested in development; Lovell says that combined player funding accounted for more than one third of the budget. UK government support also represented around one third, he says, including the Prototype Fund, the Content Fund and video game tax relief. Spilt Milk put in its own resources, including company reserves and income from work-for-hire projects, and received support from Microsoft for bringing the game to Xbox.

For Gobble Inn, a cosy roguelike that Lovell describes as “Diet Dave the Diver,” the studio is taking a staged approach. It has developed an initial prototype during a three-day game jam and is working on a playable demo while continuing to support Trash Goblin. A successful crowdfunding campaign would support a commitment to an Early Access release; the game’s later scope would depend in part on how players respond.

How Player Demand Shapes Scope

The proposed range for Gobble Inn shows why a budget for an indie game may describe a plan rather than a fixed amount. Each development stage carries a different commitment: a prototype costs far less than a fully localised release across multiple platforms, and the studio says it will decide how far to expand after testing demand.

This approach also changes how crowdfunding should be understood. Lovell argues that a Kickstarter is not usually a substitute for a publisher financing most of a project. Instead, it can provide some development money while testing interest and building a community. Later income, public funding, tax relief, platform support and studio resources can all affect the final investment.

For players, the distinction matters because campaign success does not by itself promise the largest possible version of a game. Lovell says Spilt Milk intends to keep its promises if demand is weak, while avoiding additional features that the market may not support. Strong demand, as the studio says it experienced with Trash Goblin, could justify continued development toward a fuller release.

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What Trash Goblin’s Funding Shows

Trash Goblin moved through several stages: its demo and crowdfunding campaign arrived in November 2023, Early Access launched in November 2024, and its 1.0 release on Steam followed in May 2025. Lovell’s article lists a console release in May 2026 and says the game also reached Epic, Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, iOS and Android, alongside free and paid downloadable content.

Lovell describes the project as a crowdfunding success story, but says the Kickstarter was only a small share of the total funding by the time of 1.0. The larger picture included player spending after Early Access, government support, the studio’s own investment and Microsoft support. His argument is based on Spilt Milk’s own project finances and plans; it is not a claim that every indie studio uses the same funding mix.

The studio says the game’s early development was at risk after publisher rejections. Lovell recounts that 74 publishers declined it and that one withdrew during a meeting the studio believed was for signing a final publishing agreement. Those details are his account of the project’s history, and help explain why the studio sees multiple funding sources as a way to retain control over development decisions.

“The budget for Gobble Inn is anywhere from £250,000 to £2.5 million, depending on when you ask.”

— Nicolas Lovell, Spilt Milk Studios founder

The Final Scope Is Not Set

Gobble Inn’s eventual budget, release schedule and platforms are not confirmed. The £250,000 to £2.5 million figure is Spilt Milk’s estimate across different possible development paths, not a settled budget or a commitment that the studio will spend the upper amount. The source does not provide a target amount or deadline for the planned Kickstarter campaign.

The project’s next steps depend on crowdfunding results and subsequent player demand, according to Lovell. The studio has not said how much demand would be enough to expand development, nor detailed what features or content would distinguish a smaller Early Access plan from a fuller 1.0 release. Its account of Trash Goblin’s funding is also studio-reported; no independent budget breakdown is provided.

Crowdfunding Sets the Next Milestone

Spilt Milk is preparing a Kickstarter campaign for Gobble Inn and says it is polishing a playable demo. If the campaign demonstrates sufficient customer interest, the studio plans to commit to an Early Access version. It says weaker demand would not cancel its promises to players, but would limit investment in new features; stronger demand could support continued work toward a 1.0 release, localisation and additional platforms.

The campaign and the game’s reception in Early Access are the next points at which Spilt Milk says it will reassess scope. Until then, the studio’s budget range remains a conditional estimate rather than a final production figure.

Key Questions

Why does Spilt Milk Studios say a single budget figure is misleading?

The studio says Gobble Inn’s spending will depend on its development stage and player response. A prototype, an Early Access release and a fully expanded 1.0 game require different levels of investment.

What is the estimated budget for Gobble Inn?

Founder Nicolas Lovell gives a possible range of £250,000 to £2.5 million. He describes it as dependent on when the estimate is made, not as a confirmed final budget.

How much of Trash Goblin’s budget came from Kickstarter?

Lovell says the Kickstarter accounted for about 10% of Trash Goblin’s total budget through its 1.0 release. He says Kickstarter and Early Access revenue reinvested in the game together made up more than one third.

What happens to Gobble Inn after its Kickstarter?

Spilt Milk says a successful campaign would support a commitment to an Early Access release. The studio plans to adjust later development based on demand, while still honouring promises made to players.

Source: GamesIndustry.biz