Blow's next project to be quiet, philosophical 'puzzle-exploration game'

by Griffin McElroy { Jul 17th 2009 at 2:54PM }

With stories claiming Braid creator Jonathan Blow was working on a handful of small titles from a variety of different genres (including a 2D RPG!), we can't help but feel a bit disappointed that his next project has been confirmed to be a "puzzle-exploration game that is philosophical, and quiet, and is being made for reasons other than crass profit motive." Way to think outside of the box, Jon. (Oh, who are we kidding. It's going to be amazing.)

This story comes to us by way of a pair of now hiring ads (for 3D artists, if you're interested) Blow posted on his on blog, looking for help on the aforementioned project, which he later confirmed to gaming news blog EndSights to be his next release. From what we can glean from the ads, the game will have a two-year development cycle, will place "a heavy emphasis on the way things look," and will feature a plot which will make non-philosophy majors feel very, very confused.

We've contacted Blow to see if we can get any more details about the project.

[Thanks, Art.]

Tags: braid, indie, jonathan-blow, philosophy, puzzle, quiet

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

U U D D L R L R B A SELECT START @ Jul 17th 2009 3:07PM

Dick Ramburgler gets my vote.

captainprotonx @ Jul 17th 2009 3:10PM

I hated Braid. Hated it so much.

**snarls**

Markez @ Jul 17th 2009 3:12PM

I certainly didn't hate it, just got remarkably bored with it after being initially enchanted with it...

captainprotonx @ Jul 17th 2009 3:14PM

I can say hate because I beat it.

HATE!

RAAAAAAAAGE!

Markez @ Jul 17th 2009 3:18PM

Umm... Relax? http://friendfeed.com/kmeelah/2c1afc1e/relax-o-vision-anti-ass-meme-pic-hope-it-ll-take

CaramelZappa @ Jul 17th 2009 3:18PM

I definitely didn't hate it, and I loved the charming art style. But I played it for a while and couldn't see why it was so special. The platforming was mediocre and the puzzles weren't anything special. I feel like one of the main reasons it got so much attention is because places like Joystiq treated Blow like some sort of celebrity just because he spent years at home making a game. The price point was too high, and then he tried to bring it higher for the pc version instead of lowering it like anyone else would have. I'm not a fan.

captainprotonx @ Jul 17th 2009 3:30PM

Braid was just an ego trip for another indy developer who thought he was giving a gift to the lower cerebral gaming community.

Your game was crap. Go sit on a nuke.

Snowblind @ Jul 17th 2009 3:36PM

I didn't particularly enjoy Braid either. Found the gameplay rather boring, and I didn't find anything remotely moving about the story, I thought it was rather cliché and just blah.

343 Guilty Fart @ Jul 17th 2009 3:53PM

I see I've found the sanctuary of fellow Braid-haters. Ok, I didn't hate it, but it wasn't nearly as amazing as it was made out to be. The only truly 'wow' moment was the scene at the very end.

WINterfang @ Jul 17th 2009 3:56PM

I agree with Soulja Boy and you can't talk shit about him either because he beat the ass of tortelli and show who the real gamer was.

FraGNeM @ Jul 17th 2009 4:11PM

How could someone "hate" a simple game like this?

A lot was written about the game to clarify whether you'd be apt to enjoy the experience or not. There was a demo.

If you bought the full game, then beat it, and still didn't enjoy any of it...shouldn't you be hating yourself?

Jrod @ Jul 17th 2009 4:32PM

First off,why is this guy getting buried? He didn't say the game sucked or was shit,he said HE hated it.

I didn't like the game either. I hate games that are so far up it's own ass. I didn't like Braid and didn't care for Portal too much either. It's personal opinions,not facts set in stone. Don't be a dick about it.

Leobebes (BDF: Braid Defence Force) @ Jul 17th 2009 6:23PM

I don't understand the hate for this game.

*Disclaimer (I am not touting my own horn here, I am just telling you a little about my background for reference on what I am about to say)

I do ok intellectually in life, I am in MENSA (I joined with a friend and took the test for shits and giggles), I am the top employee where I work at because I know my stuff and yet I enjoyed the puzzles in this game immensely. They were challenging enough to wow me and entertain me at the same time, yet I don't understand some of you here who say they were easy and nothing great. You should be working at JPL, NASA, or become the next Carl Sagan because if you found Braid too easy then your noggins are immensely more blessed than mine and 98% of the human population and I commend you.

Ashitaka @ Jul 17th 2009 9:50PM

Glad to see I'm not alone.

I mean, the game was good, no doubt about that. It had a good artistic style, good music (which was still bearable when rewinded) and some good puzzles and time mechanics, but that's it. It really wasn't that great as it was touted to be.

Duration - disappointing, it lasted about 3 hours.
Story - practically none.
Stars - practically no indication that they were there, and if you missed one, you had to restart the game.
Dinosaur - wtf?

Vcize @ Jul 17th 2009 9:57PM

It's the way the world works. If a game is made that's full of brainless action everyone bitches that it's just brainless action. If a game tries to go deeper than that everyone bitches that it's "pretentious".

Whatever. There's nothing wrong with either one of them. And Braid was awesome.

Captain Planet @ Jul 17th 2009 3:21PM

I hate it because Soulja Boy hates it.

Uncontrol @ Jul 17th 2009 3:26PM

shut up already

Dr. Stabbingworth @ Jul 17th 2009 3:26PM

So, Knytt Stories with a plot? In other news, Knytt Stories is an awesome 2D platformer.

Uncontrol @ Jul 17th 2009 3:27PM

i eagerly await the inevitable blow x molyneux collaboration

WINterfang @ Jul 17th 2009 3:51PM

I'll go with The Cockfather.

you know keep it classy.

commonperson @ Jul 17th 2009 4:19PM

I didn't "Hate" the game but I didn't see what everyone loved about it either. It was a pretty game with pretty sound and decent puzzles. What kinda got under my skin was the idolization of Blow and his holier then thou attitude. I mean hell even in the remarks in this story attributed to him he comes across as a d-bag. I mean "puzzle-exploration game that is philosophical, and quiet, and is being made for reasons other than crass profit motive." What the hell is that about? Step down off that high horse once in a while. I know he's trying to do what he considers art, and I will be the first to say it is entirely possible for there to be art in gaming but Braid wasn't it and I doubt anyone with these motives will be able to create it. Mind some of the greatest artists of all time were egomaniacs so you never know, he may do it.

Alzheimers @ Jul 17th 2009 4:24PM

Wow. Way to be creative there, Blow -- just keep repeating the one thing you've already done. If he'd said "Big-chested action heroine in 3D Gorefest" ... THAT would have been different.

Technically speaking, it's not even that far a stretch to use the Braid engine to make a modern sequel to "Vinyl Goddess From Mars"

WiNG [XBL&Steam: WiNGSPANTT] from lifeinagame.com @ Jul 17th 2009 4:35PM

I'm going to go against the tide and say I LOVED Braid.

Great music, great atmosphere, strong sense of character for what it is.

To me, this game felt a lot like Myst. It's this fantastical, awkward world, and you spend a lot of time trying to just figure out how the world works while you're getting from A to B. I also agreed with Blow that I had a HUGE sense of accomplishment solving all the puzzles with no help.

Was it a little pricey at $15 with basically no replay value? Maybe. But I don't know, I just found it beautiful, haunting, and intriguing.

.
.
.
.
PSYCHE THIS GAME AINT GOT NOOOOOOOO POINT
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!

Saria the Cat @ Jul 17th 2009 4:42PM

Soooooo...Braid 2 confirmed?

Douche Bigalow @ Jul 17th 2009 5:26PM

Those stupid, evil corporations, actually trying to make profits so they can pay employees so they can put food on their table!

I'm so glad there are cool outsiders like Blow to live on the edge and tell us all how small-minded, crass, and profit-driven we are. I expect to see his next 'game' given away for free.

Roto13 @ Jul 17th 2009 7:47PM

What the fuck are you on about?

Drew -- PS360: uphillbothways @ Jul 17th 2009 5:28PM

Was Braid ever released in other languages? Was there a Spanish Braid or a... wait for it.... French Braid?

Ashitaka @ Jul 17th 2009 9:43PM

Yes it was. But what about it? It was all text anyway, I doubt people even read it (I didn't).

Drew -- PS360: uphillbothways @ Jul 18th 2009 2:40PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_braid

mr mobius @ Jul 17th 2009 5:57PM

I just don't see why Braid and Blow gets the love it gets. It was overshadowed in both gameplay and art style by fellow indie game designer Kyle Gabler and World of Goo in my opinion. I still love World of Goo but found Braid to be mostly mediocre and repetitive.

Roto13 @ Jul 17th 2009 7:48PM

World of Goo was awesome (and better) but I don't think that makes Braid less great.

Princessb89 @ Jul 17th 2009 11:48PM

Ugh I'm so sick of this guy. He's the most pretentious game developer on the planet. "puzzle-exploration game that is philosophical, and quiet, and is being made for reasons other than crass profit motive" Yeah, we get it, you are serving a higher purpose and you're clearly better than everyone else. Whatever.

-------
http://freewiipoints.net

Tha0racle @ Jul 18th 2009 10:22AM

I am sure Mr Blow is shaking in his boots..the same 100 people who post on all of the main game forums are taking him to task for being above it all and pretentious.

I found Braid to be a very good game , not exactly my cup of tea but he did a great job and I look forward to his next game.