Blow on Braid sequel, DLC, XBLA cert
by Christopher Grant 
{ Aug 11th 2008 at 5:15PM }
While Braid 2: The Pony Tale might not be in the cards for creative reasons, an XBLA followup might not be in the cards for financial reasons – Blow cited the recent royalty adjustment on the platform as an impediment, stating, "If it's as I've heard that it is, I couldn't even necessarily break even." And while Blow was quick to point out that Microsoft isn't "Bad" (seriously, he's the first commenter) he was particularly frustrated with the oft-cited XBLA certification process, which he felt was time that could have been used to make Braid a "little more polished, little bit better." So if jumping to conclusions is your thing, you can blame Microsoft for whatever shortcomings you see in the game. To us, it sounds like business as usual and, despite any misgivings about the XBLA platform, it still managed to deliver a very polished, and very impressive platformer to a relatively huge audience for the not unreasonable price of $15.
Note – Other Braid sequel names considered include:
- Braiders of the Lost Ark
- Tomb Braider
- The Braid-y Bunch
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rob Accomando @ Aug 11th 2008 5:19PM
That's fine as long as he makes another 2D sidescoller.
WhoMe @ Aug 11th 2008 7:15PM
This guy needs to STFU already and stop abusing the sympathy card already.
My guess is, with this overblown Braid hypathon going on, he's already laughing his ass off, al the way to the bank.
Tiptup300 @ Aug 11th 2008 5:20PM
Braid = PURE AWESOME!
Buy it now. BUY IT!
Tiptup300 @ Aug 11th 2008 5:31PM
What's ironic is I haven't bought the game yet, since I recently did the whole "Promote Xbox Live Account" thing, which forces you to change credit cards. So I had to switch it to my card which has about 3 bucks on it. :( Gotta wait till I next get payed.
rv @ Aug 11th 2008 5:40PM
I will buy it when my god damn 360 comes back...
I guess I shouldn't complain though, only my first rrod, and it was a launch console.
Fernando Rocker @ Aug 11th 2008 5:43PM
I will definitely buy it tonight. Going to spend $40 in cards: 2000 Wii Points to buy Strong Bad and 1600 MS Points to buy Braid.
Or should I spend the $40 in Burnout Paradise? Nah, Braid and Strong Bad sound more interesting. Burnout can wait.
Flit @ Aug 11th 2008 7:09PM
Or, You could go to target and get 1600 MS points for $15 this week, making braid what, $12.50?
umm....hello??? @ Aug 11th 2008 5:20PM
does it even NEED a sequel?? It was a complete story/game....well worth the $15.
copa @ Aug 11th 2008 6:42PM
I agree. I am a huge fan of games that use the "less is more" approach like Braid, Gears of War, Call of Duty 4.
These games are 'short' because they contain only what is necessary for a consistently entertaining experience without adding a bunch of cruft to artificially extend playing time.
Braid is a game that deconstructs another game (why IS Mario always hunting down that princess?) while being consistently fun and engaging. It's a great step forward for the medium, and I hope it gets commercial success so that we see more attempts like this down the road.
Saria the Cat @ Aug 11th 2008 5:23PM
New screenshot next time, plz. I beat Braid yesterday. 'Twas gifted by a kind soul. And I'm sorry, but Blow is ostentatious and he bothers me.
Tiptup300 @ Aug 11th 2008 5:26PM
I think it's just the name.... "Blow", It's almost as bad as Cliffy B.
Can't get any more douchebaggy-er-ish than Cliffy B...well except for "C to the Capital B[, dog!]"
rv @ Aug 11th 2008 5:37PM
Weren't you part of the staunch opposition to its large(r) price?
Saria the Cat @ Aug 11th 2008 5:39PM
@rv: Yep. But my very nice friend gave me MSP as a gift so I was able to download it and play it after all. :) I was more than willing to play the game for free.
rv @ Aug 11th 2008 5:48PM
Damn I wish my friends gave me free msps...
Courtney @ Aug 11th 2008 7:07PM
Glad to hear that you played it and and congrats on the Brush With Fame on the podcast. What is your opinion on its price after having played the entire game?
I think Blow is highly opinionated, but I happen to like seeing those opinions delivered from someone within game development.
Saria the Cat @ Aug 11th 2008 7:28PM
@Courtney: The game is definitely unique since it has space/time mechanics unlike any other platformers and really intricate puzzles. But it was also too short for $15. I usually take a long time to beat my games because I like to savor them (i.e. I'm slow) but Braid flew by . Time is a factor because when I spend money on a game, I want that game to last a while since the longer it takes to finish, the longer I am going without wanting/spending money on another game.
I think it's one of the best (only?) puzzle platformers but still too much money for me. If I was given a hard copy, it'd be worth $15 or even $20. I think it's the digital distro that really turns me off. I'm not a big XBLA customer period.
It also doesn't help that I don't like the maker of the game and thus I don't want to give him my money. If he was less condescending or holier than thou, I'd feel all mushy inside helping an indie developer out.
Obie @ Aug 11th 2008 8:59PM
I also felt he was being a bit of a douche, but I thought it was just me...apparently not.
He reminds me of those artists that compare themselves to the Beatles after a one hit wonder.
Marty @ Aug 11th 2008 5:24PM
Braid is a really mind-altering gaming experience... a rarity for sure, especially these days with all the cookies-cutter big budget titles in the midst.
It's great to see that small teams like the Braid team still have a shot. All it takes is a good idea and a lot of hard work.
Saria the Cat @ Aug 11th 2008 5:34PM
That really is one of the happier outcomes of this, I think. Hopefully other small fries will look to Braid as a good example of indie "making it" in the industry and feel inspired to put something out just as creative and fresh. :)
Xoviet chiK @ Aug 11th 2008 5:26PM
I'd love to see Braid: Four / Three Tim Adventures.
Playing out like Zelda: FSA, specifically the side scrolling portions with Each Tim having his own Time Manipulation or what not. It's funny, I love Braid so much... I actually thought this up lying in bed. How sad...
JerJer @ Aug 11th 2008 5:29PM
i just.....i just dont like it that much....
maybe for 5 dollars i would take the plunge i just.....meh....
Maic @ Aug 11th 2008 5:30PM
Disapointed?
Hell no. Some stories are made to be started, finished, and remembered as they are. Braid as an experience should be considered complete, adding more and more most of times ends in thinning the idea and story that makes it unique.
Thatoneguy64 @ Aug 11th 2008 5:37PM
This is exactly how I felt about Bioshock, and was caught off guard when they announced a sequel.
Xoviet chiK @ Aug 11th 2008 5:40PM
Word.
Between Braid, Portal, and Chrono Trigger... Why are there so many people clamoring for a sequel? Some of the most original and complete games out there.
I'm much more interested in what Number None can follow this up with, than actually seeing a follow-up. (P.S. - Leave the Portal Team alone Valve!)
John @ Aug 11th 2008 5:57PM
Agreed 100%.
I applaud most any game that finishes the story in one game, without obviously dragging it out in sequels.
Thatoneguy64 @ Aug 11th 2008 5:37PM
ABraid of the Dark
Saria the Cat @ Aug 11th 2008 5:41PM
Dear God, what have you started?!
copa @ Aug 11th 2008 6:18PM
Tomb Braider.
Mamba @ Aug 11th 2008 6:35PM
Braids Row
Flit @ Aug 11th 2008 7:13PM
Braid on Bungeling Bay
Flit @ Aug 11th 2008 7:14PM
A Bear, A Backpack, With a Braid.
Fernando Rocker @ Aug 11th 2008 5:40PM
Super Braidio Galaxy.
ice~ @ Aug 11th 2008 7:52PM
Viva Braidata, Braiddown, The Braid Unleashed, Assasins Braid, Gears of Braid, Battlefield: Braid Company, BraidHero 3,
someone virtually slap me in the face foe that horribleness I just wrote, I don't even have brAid (don't hurt me :( )
Cyro @ Aug 12th 2008 3:43AM
You should buy this Fernando. This game is pure genious! I was hesitating to buy it because of the 15 bucks, but its well worth it man. I love this game.
PS: My head hurts some times from so much thinking. :P
I never thought 2D side scrolling could be so much fun again.
Shagittarius @ Aug 11th 2008 6:17PM
Your guys are lame Braido.
ScallionN @ Aug 11th 2008 7:52PM
I Braid it on Grant. He started it.
prokofjev @ Aug 11th 2008 6:19PM
They really should bring this to the PC (Steam)...
Lorben @ Aug 11th 2008 6:57PM
It is being brought to PC by the end of the year. Probably on Steam, they're the most logical choice.
Mamba @ Aug 11th 2008 6:29PM
Braid sucked, it's an OK platformer. I don't know what's the big deal about it. TOO MUCH HYPE
Black @ Aug 11th 2008 6:51PM
??
Eggman @ Aug 11th 2008 6:56PM
No I'm pretty sure you just entirely missed the point and don't even really understand what genre it's in.
AoE @ Aug 11th 2008 7:08PM
it's a platformer? Crap i've been playing it wrong, I thought it was a puzzle game >_
Saria the Cat @ Aug 11th 2008 7:30PM
I found it really innovative and enjoyable, but the ridiculous hype definitely shaved off the "mind-blowing" factor for me as well. I usually don't pay attention to hype for games or movies because then they will just be genuinely good or bad for me, but Braid was kind of in-your-face.
Edog Lost @ Aug 11th 2008 6:41PM
I agree,
Braid is such a perfect gaming experience. Without a sequel the IP stays pure. We will always be able to look back and remember it’s glorious platforming perfection.
BIGFAT @ Aug 11th 2008 6:50PM
it says he made $427,860 in revenue how will he still be in debt?
How much did this game cost?
Hey Apples @ Aug 11th 2008 7:16PM
That revenue figure is before MS takes their cut, which is rumored to be fairly substantial. That leaves a smaller percentage for all of the labor and related costs that go into a business.
TrojanGuy @ Aug 11th 2008 7:23PM
So basically even XBLA games that get awesome reviews, are priced at $15, and sell a lot of copies can't make enough money for the game developer to break even? If that's the case, I wonder how long it'll be before MS stops getting cool exclusive games on XBLA. :(
Rex Dart @ Aug 11th 2008 7:28PM
Oh for crap's sake. I wish that, y'know, every last gamign news site ever hadn't been turned into The Braid Advertising Network. The game blows anyways and you can find better for free on your PC. The characters are hideous, the jumping is wonky, and even its gimmick isn't anything new. I honestly can't see why every gaming site has to post five items about it daily, except that they're perhaps the recipients of a good chunk of the game's high price.
BIGFAT @ Aug 11th 2008 7:42PM
Maybe because its the top rated XBLA game, or maybe its because its the tenth highest rated xbox 360 game period. so yeah Braid is a big deal at least until BCR comes out.
and i didnt see you whining when portal came out so why whine now, let the game have its spotlight.
ScallionN @ Aug 11th 2008 8:21PM
It might be because Portal actually warranted most of the praise it received, and became an internet meme for a while.