Masked metaller Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan has dedicated three decades to elevating Slipknot to the pinnacle of the music industry. However, beyond the thunderous beats and electrifying performances that have captivated fans worldwide, he has embarked on an intriguing venture in the realm of gaming. Last December, Clown unveiled his first fully playable game, Vernearth, a surreal and twisted extension of the beloved blocky universe of Minecraft. This innovative project is set to expand in the coming months, inviting players to collaborate in building magnificent structures, engage in pixelated battles, and embark on various quests.
“It might seem weird that this big metal dude is messing around with Minecraft, but I just love games,” Clown shares during a Zoom conversation. His passion for gaming traces back to his youth, where he and his friends immersed themselves in Dungeons & Dragons before transitioning to the local arcade to enjoy early classics like Astrosmash and Robotron: 2084. The evolution continued with a shift to console gaming, culminating in a profound connection with Doom, which he describes as a life-changing experience. “There was this darkness to it that spoke to my soul,” he reflects.
Clown’s journey into game development has not been without its challenges. Over the years, he pitched numerous concepts to developers, only to face rejection due to the high financial barriers to entry. “Most won’t even talk to you unless you’ve got million to put into it,” he explains. His ideas ranged from fantastical role-playing card games inspired by Vampire: The Masquerade to a rock and roll game that he believes could have rivaled the impact of Grand Theft Auto. Though he may revisit those concepts in the future, his current focus is firmly on Vernearth. “Building this world has opened my mind so much. It’s some of the best art I’ve made in my life.”
Creating a Unique Gaming Experience
Clown’s introduction to Minecraft came through his four children, who spent countless hours exploring the 3D metaverse. Initially perplexed by the game, his perspective shifted dramatically when he became involved with the NFT project Critterz in late 2021. “I started building and I’ve not stopped. Something just hit,” he recalls, often dedicating up to 18 hours a day to the craft. However, when Critterz was shut down in 2022 due to Minecraft’s ban on NFT and crypto technologies, Clown remained undeterred. He purchased his own server and spent four years developing Vernearth alongside his daughter Alexandria and drum tech Sean Kane, balancing their creative efforts with the demands of touring.
In Vernearth, Clown has crafted a distinctly altered version of Minecraft. “I wanted to create something people hadn’t seen before, with all the weird twists that you’d expect from me,” he explains. The game features a more ominous atmosphere, with elements like the Mare area, which amplifies the dread of Minecraft’s Nether level, and the eerie Over Over biome, a reimagined version of The End. Players can still enjoy familiar gameplay while navigating new challenges, including custom blocks, original AI-driven NPCs known as Mobs, and formidable bosses. “Minecraft was already brilliant, but we have our own way of doing things,” Clown asserts.
“People might question how helpful escaping into a digital realm can be, but it’s really helped me work through some of my grief.”
After years of dedication, Vernearth officially launched on December 1, a date imbued with personal significance as it marks the birthday of Clown’s father, who passed away in 2005. The game’s lore draws inspiration from a science fiction book written by his mother before her death in 2009. “Vernearth is a place where I can handle some of my grieving,” Clown shares. He often collaborates with his children in the game, creating structures in memory of his daughter Gabrielle, who tragically passed away in 2019. “It’s just such a wonderful space for my brain,” he reflects.
Clown’s emotional connection to Vernearth resonates with its users as well. Recently, a player named Amy invited him to explore her creation, which features blockified gravestones for former Slipknot members Paul Gray and Joey Jordison, accompanied by a heartfelt sign asking fans to “leave flowers in memory.” “I really wasn’t expecting that,” Clown admits, touched by the gesture. “I caught a tear, man.” As the community begins to form, he expresses gratitude for the support, noting that it already feels like a space where everyone is there for one another.
Similar to his work with Slipknot, Clown envisions Vernearth as a platform for self-expression. “I’m always trying to create something that feels good, using the things that make me feel good,” he explains. He is also exploring the integration of online therapy within the game, believing in the mental health benefits of gaming. “I really want to push that aspect as much as possible.”
In addition to these initiatives, Clown recently launched The Auction House, allowing players to buy, trade, and sell their loot and creations. He is also working on an original soundtrack, finding fulfillment in the creative process without the pressures typically associated with his musical career. “I’m in the studio almost every week making music,” he shares, hinting at dark and light ambient tracks that evoke a cinematic quality. “Music is dead important to gaming.”
While Clown is not currently focused on new material for Slipknot, he emphasizes the importance of taking a break after the intense cycles of their recent albums. “We’re taking some real human time,” he states, acknowledging the need for rest and rejuvenation. Tentative plans to reconvene later this month are on the horizon, but only if everyone is ready. “It feels very positive, and everyone is looking forward to getting back at it.”
