Frequently Asked

Questions, Answered

Plain answers about Thimblefield: what it is, how it's made, what it costs, and what we will and won't do.

What is Thimblefield?
Thimblefield is a premium hidden object game where every scene is a real, physical set produced by a human artist. Each puzzle is an original handmade work, photographed in high resolution and built into an interactive scene you can zoom, listen to, and explore.
What platforms is Thimblefield on?
Thimblefield is coming to Steam and iOS, with additional platforms to follow after launch. We're starting with these two because they let us deliver the artwork at the resolution and quality it deserves.
Does Thimblefield use generative AI for its artwork?
No. Every scene shipped in the game is handmade by a human artist. In a world where generative AI content is increasingly present, we want to create a catalog of exclusively human work.
How much does Thimblefield cost?
Final pricing has not been announced yet, but we want to sell a base game that has plenty of quality content. We may eventually offer optional puzzle packs or season passes to cover the cost of new scenes, but the base game is a single purchase.
Are there ads in the game?
No. No third-party ads, no rewarded video, no banners, no pop-ups. We may occasionally surface news about new content from our own studio inside the game, but nothing will interrupt or gate gameplay.
When does Thimblefield launch?
There is no official launch date yet. The best way to follow along is the newsletter and Discord, both linked from the home page. A Steam wishlist page will be available before launch.
How often will new content be added after release?
We want Thimblefield to be a long living game with fresh content being released continuously, but for now we're focused on building a solid base game.
Does Thimblefield use dark patterns or extractive monetization?
No. No micro-transactions, no hint sales, no pay-to-win, no manufactured urgency. We respect both the artist's work and the player's time. The cost of the game is the cost of the game.
Who makes the artwork?
Independent artists, with a focus on artists local to Seattle since that's where our camera equipment is. Each artist is credited per puzzle, and individual objects within a scene can be credited separately.
How much creative control do artists have?
We understand why artists are wary of collaborations, since they often limit creative control. While our goal is to make the puzzles in the game interesting and fit the quality and gameplay goals of the game, we try to keep the constraints to a minimum. Artists are encouraged to let their creativity thrive, some even driving new features in the game.
How is this different from I Spy books?
Being a video game, Thimblefield has audio/visual mechanics that simply can't exist on paper. Instead of being a single artist or studio, we intend on building a community of artists with a wide range of backgrounds and visual storytelling styles. Walter Wick's work is inspirational and genre-defining, but to be clear we are not affiliated with Scholastic, I Spy, or Walter Wick in any way.
Where is the studio based?
Seattle, Washington, but don't let this stop you from reaching out if you're an artist with an idea or trinket you want to share!
Can I download or browse the puzzles outside the game?
No. The puzzles are designed as a complete in-game experience. We don't host the artwork as standalone files. This is done both to keep our content exclusive, and to prevent AI image training. We can't prevent every screenshot, but the full experience exists only inside the game.
Is there a community?
Yes! We have a Discord server and a newsletter. Both are linked from the home page.
I'm an artist, how do I work with Thimblefield?
See the Artists page for our creative process. We pay for original work and credit you on every puzzle your art appears in. Whether you want to arrange a full puzzle, or contribute a trinket, our inbox is open.
How do I contact the team?
Email or Discord, see the Contact page. Press, player questions, and artist inquiries all reach the same inbox.