
Counting Rupees: Sustainable Indies

Control Time ... err, Tim with Braid papercraft
And here we are! Braid artist David Hellman tipped us off to a pair of adorable Braid-themed papercraft projects depicting the game's time-manipulating hero Tim and his ubiquitous foe ... uh, Creature thing. Print out one of Tim, thirty of the Creature, figure out how to control the immutable march of time, then reenact all your favorite scenes.
[Thanks, David]
Source – Braid papercraft, Tim
Source – Braid papercraft, Creature
Blow considers rewinding time, removing Braid bugs
The bugs are a bit too specific to fully explain here, suffice it to say that if they hit you it's going to mean a fair amount of backtracking. They don't seem to be especially common, but they're serious for those who've been afflicted. The good news? While Jonathan Blow is spilling the beans he's also working with Microsoft on solutions.
Update: Blow's posted a few temporary fixes for one of the bugs.
Jonathan Blow: Microsoft made Braid demo shorter
"There was one little issue at the very end of development when [Microsoft] wanted me to make the trial version shorter than it was," recalled Blow in an interview with SavyGamer, adding belief that "it's ok to give people a significant portion of the game because if they like it, they'll want to play the rest." Nevertheless, this apparently didn't jibe with Braid's publishing overlords, as Blow noted that he and Microsoft argued back and forth over the demo's length before settling on the teaser we have today. So, tell us, was the result enough to make your virtual wallet 1200 MS points lighter?
Braid: tearing up Metacritic; one of the top XBLA launches
Blow cites VGChartz's ballpark figure of 28.5k copies sold and estimates that the number "seems to be in the right neighborhood" as of last Saturday. Does that mean his struggle with the game's pricing has paid off in a big way? Apparently not. Blow contends that Braid will need to sell a lot more to be profitable but "things are looking promising now." We'll say! Let's put that estimate up against the top XBLA launch figures in a thoroughly unscientific breakdown*:
- Braid, ~28.5k units
- Rez HD, 25k units
- Ikaruga, 22.5k units
- Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 1, 16.5k units
- N+, 13k units
PS3 release of Braid 'might happen' - WiiWare not happening
While Blow did not elaborate on how long the Xbox 360 timed exclusivity would last, he did reiterate that a PC release – presumably outside the limitations of any exclusivity contract – will "definitely happen this year" while a WiiWare release "is not going to happen for this game." With over 30K downloads already logged on Xbox Live Arcade, adding two additional platforms should go some way towards obviating that whole price dilemma situation.
[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Blow on Braid sequel, DLC, XBLA cert
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.
X3F rallies around Braid, demands your consideration
Blow explains dilemma of Braid's price to 1Up
Blow explains if the game maintained sales among a niche audience at 800 points he would be "bankrupt or in debt." Then again, if Braid sells moderately well -- and if the buzz over the title keeps going, it should -- he says he could have stuck it out at 800 points and then the game would have probably sold even better. Check out the developer's dilemma in the video after the break.
Continue reading Blow explains dilemma of Braid's price to 1Up
Metareview - Braid (XBLA)

- IGN (88/100): "Xbox Live Arcade needs more games like Braid. Heck, gaming on all platforms needs more titles like this. Imaginative, innovative, and engrossing, Braid is a spectacular achievement. If only the experience lasted a little longer and there weren't as many puzzles with singular solutions."
- Edge (90/100): "Braid remains a beautiful and brilliantly demanding game that barely contains its dense population of ideas, taking its place alongside Geometry Wars and Pac-Man Championship Edition as one of the finest original titles available on Live Arcade."
- Eurogamer (100/100): "I've gone to bed thinking about Braid, and I've woken up thinking about it. From the fragments I remember, I'm pretty sure I've dreamed about it as well. Braid is that sort of game."
The official Braid walkthrough says, 'Please do not use a walkthrough'
According to the guide, "Some of the puzzles will be hard. But when you manage to solve those hard puzzles, you will feel very good about it. [emphasis theirs] The game will feel very rewarding. Don't rob yourself of that feeling by reading a walkthrough!" While we agree with the sentiment, for irony's sake, our fingers are crossed that Braid will hit Top 10 Wanted FAQs on GameFAQs.
Jonathan Blow talks Braid pricing
Though he says Microsoft pushed the $15 price point, he admits he's also got his own financial concerns to consider that make the price a lot more palatable. Blow also says he's worried about ending up like Jeff Minter, who wanted his game Space Giraffe affordably priced but didn't recoup enough as a result. It's a surprisingly frank discussion, and one well worth checking out.
This Wednesday: Braid makes timely arrival on XBLA
Oh, and you'll be wanting to know the price of all this. Well, we hate to rain on your Braid, but despite Microsoft's earlier denial, the game will indeed cost 1200
($15).Revealed XBLAugust prices incorrect [Update]
- July 30: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 (800 MS points / $10)
- August 6: Braid (1200 MS points / $15)
- August 13: Bionic Commando Rearmed (800 MS points / $10)
- August 20: Galaga Legions (800 MS points / $10)
- August 27: Castle Crashers (1800 MS points / $22.50)
Update: Microsoft tells Shacknews these prices are incorrect, and that the final prices won't be revealed until the Monday before each respective game launches.
[Via X3F]
XBLAugust: Castle Crashers, BC Rearmed, Braid, and Galaga
- July 30: Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
- August 6: Braid
- August 13: Bionic Commando Rearmed
- August 20: Galaga Legions
- August 27: Castle Crashers



























