I'd imagine it was a case of not wanting to get funding, partly on account of the bureaucracy that would have been involved, but also just wanting his creative output to benefit him and the people working with him, not a third party. Because of his work, the seed money wasn't a challenge.
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Engadget: Braid creator Jonathan Blow sacrifices his fortune to build The Witness
- Thread starter hydruxo
- Start date
I'd imagine it was a case of not wanting to get funding, partly on account of the bureaucracy that would have been involved, but also just wanting his creative output to benefit him and the people working with him, not a third party. Because of his work, the seed money wasn't a challenge.
My thoughts exacty
This makes absolutely no sense.
Tidus_Great
Banned
I don't think anyone will remember his games in 20 years anyways. but good luck to him.
Miles Quaritch
Member
Marketing deal?
Features prominently on the PSBlog and on the PS Store as well as having a more visible presence at any Sony gaming event where he might want to demo the game?
Fried Food
Banned
Meh, he is enough of a name to not have any trouble finding work to keep him paid (should the game do horribly).
Can't wait for The Witness. I've only watched the official trailers.
Can't wait for The Witness. I've only watched the official trailers.
My thoughts exactly.
Rogue_Ledr
Banned
IF this dude would friggin get the game out already, he wouldn't have to worry about his money.
Wasn't this supposed to be out like ........... 6 months ago?
Wasn't this supposed to be out like ........... 6 months ago?
I sometimes forget the game exists due to the lack of updates, but this is still one of my most-anticipated games coming out on the PS4 (behind only The Witcher 3). Every time I read an article about the design process of The Witness, I just nod and smile. Whatever the price is for the game, I'm there day one.
Pinko Marx
Banned
It's weird to me that people think The Talos Principle is somehow digging into The Witness's profits. By the time The Witness comes out I'm sure the majority of TTP audience would have moved on or would be craving for more. Besides, its not like people who are into these types of games have a wealth of choices. I just don't see TPP effecting sales of this game much beyond some who might have played TPP and didn't like it so they skip this game too. Also I think the name behind The Witness will likely give it some bigger publicity as well as it being a PS4 exclusive so the console warriors will definitely latch on to it.
How many people even *know* about The Talos Principle?
I'm pretty sure The Witness is going to have much stronger marketing.
The only scenario I can see him having to worry about money is if the game is shit. Not only would The Witness fail to sell but there wouldn't be hype for his next game either.
So that in mind I'd say they should take their time.
Visualante2
Member
He said that the witness is one of the most ambitious games on his list of things he wants to make so it's unlikely he will even need to make loads back.
Pinko Marx
Banned
The Talos Pinrciple seemed to be doing pretty well on Steam. But I agree with you, The Witness has a lot more going for it than TPP does.
Enigmatic Rainbow
Member
I didn't even know about either of the games' existence until seeing this thread.
Also noble and brave of him to put it all in. This is how you know the work is going to be incredible. When someone is willing to put it all on the line.
blu
Wants the largest console games publisher to avoid Nintendo's platforms.
Article gets an 'A' for Revisionism. Even if we forgo the direct meaning and assume a broader one, at least three indie titles of that exact period made serious splashes:
Castle Crashers (#1 for 2008 XBLA)
Braid (#2 for 2008 XBLA)
World of Goo (PC & WiiWare)
NinjamicWZ
Banned
Yep. People will play it and he'll likely feel contented.
IdreamofHIME
Member
Why does nobody write articles about me when I use this months takings to buy stock to sell next month?
I'm sacrificing money here! I'm a financial martyr!
I'm sacrificing money here! I'm a financial martyr!
Haunted
Member
Here's hoping!
akachan ningen
Member
WTF? That's called an investment not a sacrifice. Why is Engadget so bad?
FlyingSaucer
Banned
Money well spent, bless him.
Ol No Bones
Banned
I really don't like this guys attitude but his game looks pretty good. I might get it.
OrlanisWorks
Banned
Well likely but when it comes on Windows. Love me some Braid, so I expect great stuff here.
I think the reasoning is that an individual putting the means of their lifestyle into a project is different from a company putting risk-balanced resources into one. In that way I get it, even if it feels overblown in a headline.
akachan ningen
Member
Investments aren't always risk-balanced or made by companies. Individuals make big investments too.
Blow is da man. His addiction to "perfection" is unparalleled. Braid is one of the few games i will remember forever. I dont care, if the Witness isn't as good, he will get my dollars right away, with not a single review read,
If you read his blog, things like optimizing save-progress without hickups and stuff... it's amazing how dedicated this guy is.
Seriously, without having played any of the upcomming 2015 games, i know i'm not wrong puting The Witness up as GOAT.
If you read his blog, things like optimizing save-progress without hickups and stuff... it's amazing how dedicated this guy is.
Seriously, without having played any of the upcomming 2015 games, i know i'm not wrong puting The Witness up as GOAT.
Doug Heffernan
Member
I hope the game does well.
I'll buy it when it inevitably comes to XB1.
I'll buy it when it inevitably comes to XB1.
hydrophilic attack
Member
I hope he makes money from it. I think it looks really cool.
Dion Blaster
Member
Braid was a top 5 game of this gen for me so this is definitely on my radar.
More like Cave Story, or some such thing.
Doctor Ironic
Member
People vastly overestimate the amount of money that crowdfunding/Kickstarter can give you.
Even Wasteland 2's record-breaking $11 million isn't much in the scheme of game development. Remember when Ouya tried to launch an entire console off of $2 million?
I guess the exception is Star Citizen, but that's a statistical outlier.
dr_rus
Member
I dunno. How hard would it be to port Braid to PS4/XBO considering that it's a 2D game which has a perfectly fine PC version? I think they should do it. That looks like an easy source of income for them.
Also - I don't know why it's not on Vita. But that may be a bit trickier to accomplish.
Also - I don't know why it's not on Vita. But that may be a bit trickier to accomplish.
I really appreciate Blow's dedication to the project, but I'm worried I won't like the line puzzles at all (something he seems to hinging his hopes on being successful, considering they dictate the larger world puzzles within the game).
Also agree with the guy saying Cave Story and Yume Nikki were the games that put the word "indie" back into my mind post-shareware days. Braid certainly put xbox live arcade on the map, and with it console indies, and probably did a lot for western indies.
Also agree with the guy saying Cave Story and Yume Nikki were the games that put the word "indie" back into my mind post-shareware days. Braid certainly put xbox live arcade on the map, and with it console indies, and probably did a lot for western indies.
Pound_lb003
Member
Wasn't it Castle Crashers?
TyphoonStruggle
Member
I'm for a blow, day one.
Hoping this is the case. I'm gonna buy it.
videogamephilosopher
Banned
Bought. I back projects no matter the medium, where it looks like the vision is cohesive and it will be entertaining. He is willing to put his effort and money behind it then I will get behind it. I don't stress over games taking forever to release anymore after the final fantasy versus/XV situation. I hope he at least breaks even, This game seems like a huge risk in a market that doesn't cater to the gameplay design he is providing.
ElectricKaibutsu
Member
I certainly will be giving him some of that money back when I buy Witness.
Since the actual article is better, I didn't consider this thread-worthy, but for those who love their daily dose of "lol video game journalism":
(Credit to YianGaruga.)
(Credit to YianGaruga.)