‘Dust: An Elysian Tail’ Developer Talks PC Version Differences And Why Xbox Distribution First

In 2009, Dean Dodrill won Microsoft’s Dream.Build.Play Challenge, and his little indie game about a warrior named Dust, received a contract from Microsoft for Xbox Live Arcade distribution, as well as a $40,000 check. Four years after winning the award, and a little less than a year after releasing on Xbox Live, Dust: An Elysian Tail is coming to the PC.

When asked if he plans on adding additional content for the PC release, Dodrill said that he wants to “preserve parity” between the two versions.

“I’m not really changing content for the game,” Dodrill explained to IGM. “Biggest additions have been PC-specific options, mostly PC-friendly controls and user-interface adjustments, as well as graphical options.”

Dodrill says he may add content in the future, but as of now, the Xbox Live Arcade version and the PC version will largely be the same game.

In a move that seems strange by 2013 standards, Dodrill developed Dust: An Elysian Tail for consoles first, years before he began working on a PC version.

He explained that he signed with Microsoft early on in the development process and “just really wanted to see the game on consoles.” Dust: An Elysian Tail did make a good fit for consoles, we reviewed it back in August and gave the game a 90% rating. We praised the game for its fast and satisfying combat, its visual beauty, and surprisingly good story, while we found the combat strained to become repetitive towards the end, and some animations were a little weak.

“The landscape was very different, when I made the arrangement four years ago,” Dodrill explained to IGM. “[It was] before Steam became an indie juggernaut.”

Dodrill is aiming to have Dust: An Elysian Tail out on Steam in April, or May at the latest.

“I’ll just say,” Dodrill said as a closing remark, “I’m very happy to finally hit my platform of choice.”

Follow Dodrill on Twitter and visit the official website for Dust: An Elysian Tail.