# Dredge

> 2023 video game developed by Black Salt Games

**Wikidata**: [Q113647971](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113647971)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dredge_(video_game))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dredge

## Summary
Dredge is a 2023 fishing horror video game developed by New Zealand-based studio Black Salt Games and published by Team17. The game blends fishing simulation with Lovecraftian horror elements, tasking players with exploring mysterious islands while managing their inventory and avoiding supernatural threats.

## Key Facts
- Released worldwide on March 30, 2023, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch
- Developed by Black Salt Games, a New Zealand-based independent game studio
- Published by Team17, a UK-based video game developer and publisher founded in 1990
- Sold over 1 million copies by October 7, 2023, exceeding developer expectations
- Available on mobile platforms (iOS, iPadOS, Android) since February 27, 2024
- Received critical acclaim with an OpenCritic score of 82/100 and Metacritic rating of 86/100
- Nominated for multiple awards including The Game Awards 2023 for Best Debut Game and Best Indie
- Features spatial inventory management mechanics as a core gameplay element
- Uses the Unity game engine for development

### Q: What type of game is Dredge?
A: Dredge is a fishing horror video game that combines fishing simulation mechanics with Lovecraftian horror elements, where players explore mysterious islands while managing their inventory and avoiding supernatural threats.

### Q: When was Dredge released and on what platforms?
A: Dredge was released worldwide on March 30, 2023, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, with mobile versions following in February 2024.

### Q: Who developed and published Dredge?
A: Dredge was developed by Black Salt Games, an independent studio based in New Zealand, and published by Team17, a UK-based video game company founded in 1990.

## Why It Matters
Dredge represents a successful fusion of seemingly disparate genres, proving that fishing simulation and cosmic horror can create a compelling and commercially successful gaming experience. The game's unexpected popularity demonstrates the market's appetite for innovative genre combinations and atmospheric storytelling. By selling over 1 million copies within its first six months, Dredge validated the viability of small indie studios creating distinctive, niche experiences that resonate with broad audiences. Its success also highlights the growing importance of mobile gaming, as the title expanded to iOS, iPadOS, and Android platforms in 2024, making the experience accessible to an even wider audience. The game's critical acclaim and award nominations further cement its status as a standout indie title that pushed creative boundaries in game design.

## Notable For
- Successfully blending fishing simulation with Lovecraftian horror elements to create a unique genre hybrid
- Achieving over 1 million sales within six months, exceeding developer expectations
- Receiving multiple award nominations including The Game Awards 2023 for Best Debut Game and Best Indie
- Implementing innovative spatial inventory management mechanics as a core gameplay feature
- Expanding from PC/console to mobile platforms, demonstrating cross-platform commercial success

## Body
### Development and Release
Dredge was developed by Black Salt Games, a New Zealand-based independent studio founded by developers Joel Mason, Alex Ritchie, and Michael Bastiaens. The game was published by Team17, a UK-based company with over 30 years of experience in the video game industry. The development team used the Unity game engine to create the title, which launched worldwide on March 30, 2023.

### Platforms and Distribution
The game was initially released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. Mobile versions for iOS, iPadOS, and Android followed on February 27, 2024. Dredge is distributed through multiple digital storefronts including Steam, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and mobile app stores.

### Gameplay Mechanics
Dredge combines fishing simulation with horror elements, requiring players to manage their inventory space while exploring mysterious islands. The game features spatial inventory management where players must strategically arrange caught fish and items in their boat's limited storage space. Players must also manage time and avoid supernatural threats that emerge during nighttime exploration.

### Critical Reception and Commercial Success
The game received positive reviews from critics, achieving an OpenCritic score of 82/100 and Metacritic rating of 86/100. By October 7, 2023, Dredge had sold over 1 million copies, exceeding the developers' expectations. The game was nominated for several awards in 2023, including The Game Awards for Best Debut Game and Best Indie.

### Awards and Recognition
Dredge received nominations for Gamescom Award 2022 (Best RPG), The Game Awards 2023 (Best Debut Game, Best Indie), and Steam Awards 2023 (Best Game on Steam Deck). In 2025, the game won the Apple Design Award for Interaction and was named iPad Game of the Year.

### Technical Specifications
The game supports multiple input devices including computer keyboard, mouse, and gamepad. It features a PEGI 12 rating and ESRB rating of Everyone 10+ with content descriptors for animated blood, fantasy violence, mild language, and use of tobacco. The game is available in English and has been localized for multiple languages.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
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  "@type": "VideoGame",
  "name": "Dredge",
  "description": "A fishing horror video game developed by Black Salt Games and published by Team17, released in 2023",
  "url": "https://www.dredge.game",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24707952",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dredge_(video_game)"
  ],
  "gamePlatform": [
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    "macOS",
    "iOS",
    "iPadOS",
    "Android",
    "PlayStation 4",
    "PlayStation 5",
    "Xbox Series X and Series S",
    "Nintendo Switch"
  ],
  "author": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Black Salt Games"
  },
  "genre": [
    "Adventure",
    "Fishing",
    "Horror"
  ],
  "publisher": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Team17"
  },
  "releaseDate": "2023-03-30",
  "aggregateRating": {
    "@type": "AggregateRating",
    "ratingValue": "82",
    "reviewCount": "91",
    "bestRating": "100",
    "worstRating": "0"
  }
}

## References

1. Microsoft Store
2. [Dredge invents and perfects the fishing-horror genre. 2023](https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23669611/dredge-review-fishing-game-horror)
3. Cosy video games are on an unstoppable rise. Will they unleash a darker side?
4. [Dredge Review. 2023](https://www.rpgfan.com/review/dredge/)
5. [Deep Dive: The surprising depth of spatial inventories in Dredge](https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/deep-dive-the-surprising-depth-of-spatial-inventories-in-dredge)
6. [Source](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/apple-unveils-winners-and-finalists-of-the-2025-apple-design-awards/)
7. [Apple unveils the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/12/apple-unveils-the-winners-of-the-2025-app-store-awards/)
8. OpenCritic
9. [Q131917281](https://criticdb.com/games/dredge)
10. [Воблер на Ктулху: рыболовный симулятор Dredge выходит 30 марта. 2023](https://www.igromania.ru/news/123050/Vobler_na_Ktulhu_rybolovnyy_simulyator_Dredge_vyhodit_30_marta.html)
11. [DREDGE sets sail on Mac on December 18th!](https://www.team17.com/news/dredge-sets-sail-on-mac-on-december-18th)
12. [DREDGE Mobile Announcement FAQ. 2024](https://www.blacksaltgames.com/dredge-mobile-announcement-faq/)
13. [Winners 2022 gamescom award](https://www.gamescom.global/en/gamescom/gamescom-award)
14. The Game Awards 2023 Nominations See Baldur's Gate 3 and Alan Wake 2 Leading With 8 Nods Each
15. The Game Awards 2023 Nominees Announced, See Them All Now
16. The Game Awards 2023 Nominations: Alan Wake 2, Baldur’s Gate 3 Lead the Pack With Eight Noms Each (Full List)
17. [Here are the nominees for the Steam Awards 2023. 2023](https://www.vg247.com/steam-awards-2023-nominees)
18. [Apple announces finalists for the 2025 App Store Awards](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/11/apple-announces-finalists-for-the-2025-app-store-awards/)
19. [Joel Mason : Auteur et programmeur sur Dredge. 2024](https://www.pointnthink.fr/fr/joel-mason-auteur-et-programmeur-sur-dredge/)
20. [Тираж Dredge неожиданно для авторов игры превысил миллион копий — Игромания. 2023](https://www.igromania.ru/news/131324/tirazh-dredge-neozhidanno-dlya-avtorov-igryi-prevyisil-million-kopij)
21. GameSpot
22. [Great on Deck](https://store.steampowered.com/greatondeck)
23. Steam
24. Game Informer
25. Q114405360
26. Q124398839
27. PlayStation Store
28. Game Input Database
29. Steam Deck HQ
30. VGChartz
31. Source
32. Q131917281