The Witness coming to PC and iOS, Blow says consoles are too old

by Griffin McElroy on Sep 28th 2011 2:29PM

Jonathan Blow recently explained to Edge why his next project, The Witness, was only coming to PC and iOS: Because the 360 and PS3 are both grandpas. "We like 360 and PS3, but their specifications are over five years old now, and that's a lot in computer years," Blow explained. "The kind of tricks we'd have to perform to get this game working on those platforms are such a lot of work that to port it over at this point is just not worth it for us."

Blow also expressed interest in bringing the game to the iPad, explaining, "We do have to compress the game for that platform, but we don't have to do the certification stuff we would have to on consoles, so we can live with doing just one of those giant tasks." He added, "And I like this as an iPad game. It's a natural thing. But we'll see how that plays out."

Via: Videogamer
Source: Edge

Tags: ios, ipad, jonathan-blow, mac, mobile, pc, the-witness

Reader Comments (162)

So... Angry Birds looks better than Gears of War AND Uncharted

Obviously not. Those games were built with those platforms in mind though, they began development knowing full well the hardware they were developing for, and were able to tailor accordingly. Two exclusive, first party titles from developers that have been working on said platforms for going on seven years now. They know the ins and outs, and all the tricks.

Not that I'm defending his choice of words or his decision, I think it's all a bit daft, but at least it makes sense.

Side note: Infinity Blade does look absolutely ridiculous though, so angry birds angry shmirds.

@Cleric In the interview, he says that when the game releases, it could be the iPad 4 - but it'll still be the Xbox 360.

Wouldn't be surprised if we had GoW-parity by then on mobile. Then again, maybe next-gen would be out by then.

@Epoque yeah, and there's not really much of anything going on in that game either.

@hahnchen I didn't see in the interview where he says it's coming out for the 360... which of the 5 pages was that on? Maybe I missed it.

@Cleric

"just not worth it for us."

@The combined 100 million-ish console players who could potentially buy his game.

I guess all that money isn't worth going through the certification process. I'm going to go ahead and assume Braid sold much better on consoles. Nothing personal to the PC gamers, its just odOid that he would put down the platforms that gave him his success.

@wrongThinker He didn't say it would be out on the 360, he said that by the time the game is done, Apple could be on the iPad4, but Microsoft will still on the Xbox 360.

@wrongThinker

i don´t see where haenchen says that? he means that there might be an ipad 4 when this game launches, but we will still have the 360. indicating that the ipad could be much more powerfull and capable of running that game... not that i`d consider buying an ipad now or anytime.

@pedasn

Everytime Johnathan Blow opens his mouth, he pisses off every gamer. He openly admits to disliking games (see, the preview done on this game on this very website) and spends much too long philosophizing and posturing rather than getting a game out the door.

I agree that certification is a bitch, but if Valve managed to get Steam on the PS3, then surely he can figure out a way to get his game on it. Because, you know what? 50+ million consumers bought dedicated gaming hardware (per device). Nobody buys an ipad "for the games" and most PCs still lag behind the consoles in graphical strength.

And since Windows 8 is attempting to kill the PC and Mac OS X going to turn into iOS any WWDC now... well guess what, PC gamers. Enjoy WoW & SC2 while you can.

@frickandfrak

Because IF windows 8 was some game killing OS like you proclaim all of the gamers would obviously migrate over to it, as opposed to sticking to something else thats been suiting them for quite some time.

As much as MS dislikes PC gaming, they still see a place for it, as it certainly pioneers where the next get of consoles will end up, thats why things like DX10 and DX11 exist. MS owns those APIs and they only exist on PC at the moment.

They may not control PC gaming like they do 360, but with things like DX11 existing its clear they still want it existing on some level.

@Cleric

a lot of fan boys from the consoles are angry now, it´s good to see what happens on the other side of the mirror right??? this is only one game, for us p.c. users is always at least a 60% of what is released, and still everybody here complains......

@Hunter141072 I'm pretty sure people are complaining about the fact that Blown said the iOS is more powerful than consoles. I'm not a PC gamer by any means, but it's common knowledge by now that the PC is infinitely times more powerful than consoles will ever be.

I always find it nice to see when PC's get their own exclusive. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, the visuals are stunning. But then to say that the game wouldn't be able to run on consoles but it can run on iOS just fine is absurd.

@Coldpillow

But it's not just about money, is it? I'm guessing the guy has a long-standing passion for games, and is excited to see the enveloper being pushed, and building a game around a crappy, outdated platform just doesn't sound enjoyable to him.

More power to him - the current gen of consoles are holding games back.

@stiqlol Rage would be id Tech 5, not UE3.

That's funny, I typically think Jonathan Blow is "too pretentious".

Seriously though, snark side, I think this explanation is kinda bullshit. I've seen videos of this game in action and its not graphics intensive at all. He probably just doesn't want to deal with the approval process which shocks me as to why its on ios. He's been very vocal about his problems with Microsoft and its approval process, and he must not think the Ps3 user base is worth bothering with. Saying consoles are "too old" makes him look like he's copping out as this is like saying Portal is too advanced for a console.

@sammo21

I agree with you about Jonathan Blow. I listened to him bitch and complain on one of the E3 GiantBomb podcasts while all the rest of the guests were having a good time and contributing to a meaningful discussion. Honestly iOS is his only chance at another hit if he excludes the consoles.

@sammo21

Yeah, I never much cared for him since that interview where he factored a $250k salary for himself into Braid's "development costs". When it comes to self-employment, he's clearly the best boss ever.

@ikaden

Yeah, he sounded like a real wet blanket.

@sammo21

I agree with you that he is more concerned about the approval process than graphical limitations, but having seen the game in action doesn't mean anything.

He has only demoed the game with placeholder art and sound, and as of last month he had not contracted anyone to build any of the production assets yet.

@sammo21 It probably has more do to with physics and controls.

@sammo21

I'm not a huge fan of his either, but I think what he may mean is that it isn't worth the 'time' for him to make it work on consoles and go through the approval process. If I remember correctly, it was basically him, other than the art and licensed music, he made Braid on his own, and I think it took him something like 3 or 4 years. The ports to PS 3 and iOS were done by Hothead though, and I'm sure the same thing will happen with this in the end.

Well, if I had any idea what this game was or who the guy making those statements is I might give a damn.

@baddates77

New puzzle game.

Guy who made Braid.

@baddates77
Don't worry, he and his fans will tell you all about him. Makes one game and thinks his name is important.

@Cleric His name is important. Have you played Braid? It's one of the best platformers I've played.

More often than not Blow is right in his statements and most others are wrong. The man is honest and speaks his mind. Since when did we decide we want people blowing smoke up our collective ass.

Don't try to drag him down because you're unwilling or unable to understand his thoughts and position on things.

@KillTheApex "More often than not Blow is right in his statements and most others are wrong. The man is honest and speaks his mind. Since when did we decide we want people blowing smoke up our collective ass. "

All other developers, publishers and producers are wrong and this one guy who made a short 2D game about time puzzles is right.

If you say so.

@jsx92 Most Publishers/Developers have their head up their asses. Yes. Correct.

@KillTheApex Trust me, people know plenty well. He's overly pretentious for only having made one real game in his life. He's also pretty vocal about MS approval process among other things. Obviously you are a huge JB fan, but don't let that cloud your judgement about the fact that he's a little big for his creative britches at the moment. Making one decent platformer doesn't make him a gaming god.

@Colin Ah. I guess his name did sound vaguely familiar. I can't say that I personally cared much for Braid though.

@KillTheApex I take it you haven't played very many platformers.

@KillTheApex

Haha, way to be a hypocrite.

Yeah that is right, most Developers do have their heads up their ass as pretentious idiots. I know, I work in the Industry.

This guy who made Braid is just like any of them, he's not exempt, and he most certainly isn't always right.

@KillTheApex

"His name is important. Have you played Braid? It's one of the best platformers I've played."

Super Mario Galaxy 2, Ratchet and Clank Future Tools, Super Meat Boy, N+, Limbo, The Simpsons Game, Enslaved, LEGO Star Wars, Trine, Kameo, Prince of Persia... Need I go on? Braid was interesting for $10 on sale, it's not amazing in the large scale of things. It's big for being an indie hit, it's not big for being an amazing game. As my wife put it, "It's mario with puzzles."

@Punkrawk Bbob

'Splosion man > Braid.

@KillTheApex

Klonoa, Castlevania Symphony of the Night, or the countless other more worth platformers would like to have a word with you.

Not that Braid wasn't good, but to discredit the prior gazillion other games that came before it is a bit short sided.

@Punkrawk Bbob Those games mean nothing to me because I haven't played all of them.

Did you miss the part that said "I have played"? I couldn't care less what you have played.

@KillTheApex

So... by that logic... Jonathan Blow is a big name to YOU, since he made the only game you've played... and everyone else can ignore him for the insignificant person he is. Gotcha. Thanks for clarifying 10 posts too late!

yeah looking forward to see how this game performs better on Intel HD 3000 computers than PS3 and Xbox 360.

Good job Mr. Blow. Alienate the audience that made your previous game such a big hit.

@Chacha Chaudhary With PC plus about 250 million potential iOS customers, I think they'll be ok.

@KillTheApex yeah, I can't wait for people to ignore this on ios so they can play the new angry birds or fart app.

@sammo21
Yeah, when he prices this at $19.99 on iOS he's going to make more money fishing through wishing wells.

@sammo21 Easy and incorrect slur against iOS. You get no points.

@Chacha Chaudhary What about Epic, Crytek, Infinity Ward and about 100 other "console" developers who made a lot of money on the PC and then decided that crappy ports of their console games are good enough for PC gamers?

this is too easy. We know he is wrong but we are all going to spend time writing why.

Why bother.

Towards the end of every console lifecycle, the PC becomes cool again.

History repeats itself.

Last generation begs to differ. All the blockbusters were ported or reworked for the original Xbox (DOOM 3, FarCry, Half-Life 2).

... not to mention, you had games like Chaos Theory and Riddick putting them in equal footing.

@Timjoy The PC never stopped being cool.

@sammo21

Awesome comment right there :)

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Most Recent | Next 50 Comments

The Witness

The Witness coming to PC and iOS, Blow says consoles are too old

Reader Comments (162)

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:31PM Cleric said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:37PM Epoque said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:55PM hahnchen said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:55PM sammo21 said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 3:25PM wrongThinker said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 3:26PM theSkillfull1 said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 3:44PM Coldpillow said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 5:00PM TheAngryIntern said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 5:09PM pedasn said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 5:57PM frickandfrak said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 7:01PM Draugdraugr said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 8:05PM Hunter141072 said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 9:42PM asslber said

Posted: Sep 29th 2011 2:22AM stillwater78 said

Posted: Sep 29th 2011 8:23AM Raquor said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:35PM sammo21 said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:41PM ikaden said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:49PM freaparn said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:52PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 3:03PM copa said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 3:34PM Kougeru said

Posted: Sep 29th 2011 12:39AM Mike Knew said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:35PM baddates77 said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:38PM Colin said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:38PM Cleric said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:50PM KillTheApex said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:58PM jsx92 said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 3:06PM KillTheApex said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 3:06PM sammo21 said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 3:13PM baddates77 said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 3:16PM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 3:25PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 3:26PM Punkrawk Bbob said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 4:09PM Ordeith said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 5:40PM DeadRabbits said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 8:24PM KillTheApex said

Posted: Sep 30th 2011 6:43PM Xoonaka said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:39PM jwan830 said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:40PM Chacha Chaudhary said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:52PM KillTheApex said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 3:07PM sammo21 said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 6:20PM aristokrat said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 8:26PM KillTheApex said

Posted: Sep 29th 2011 6:01AM ahac said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:41PM kcswanko said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:42PM Timjoy said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:48PM Epoque said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 2:51PM Epoque said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 3:07PM sammo21 said

Posted: Sep 28th 2011 5:05PM P34nk said

The Witness Info

Description

MSRP

Release Date

Genre

Developer

Publisher

Rating

Breaking News

WB conjures up Harry Potter for Kinect this fall

Featured Stories

Weekly Webcomic Wrapup is a stranger in a strange land

Silver Lining: I Am Alive's unfeeling world

Game Of Thrones and the paradoxes of adaptation

Engadget

TUAW

Massively

WoW