Indie games have grown beyond the notion that they are anything less than blockbuster titles. Today, these projects continue to make players think deeply, solve problems creatively, and experience stories in new ways. They have been important in pushing the boundaries of game design. Some titles that embody such qualities are ConcernedApe’s Stardew Valley and Toby Fox’s Undertale.
Puzzle games are also a perfect example of this trend in the indie segment. Particular examples are Braid and The Witness. These games are works of one of the most influential figures in this space — Jonathan Blow.
This article talks about Jonathan Blow, two of his games, and how his work inspired a new generation of game creators.
The Genius and His Equally Brilliant Games
Jonathan Blow is an American independent game developer, designer, and programmer. He is also the founder and president of Thekla Incorporated, which is a small independent game studio. Blow and his team are committed to making games that blend artistry, intelligence, and technical excellence. They are best known for creating Braid and The Witness.
In particular, Braid is a puzzle-platformer that follows a character looking for a Princess through a series of interconnected worlds where time works differently. This video game allows players to manipulate the flow of time in solving platform puzzles.
On the other hand, The Witness is set in an open world that has puzzles across dozens of locations. It is a game that lets players explore a strange island in hopes of regaining memories and finding a way home.
The Stories Behind Braid and The Witness
In early 2005, Jonathan Blows spent a few weeks making a prototype of a game. To give himself the sense of urgency to finish it, he immediately presented the basic version at the GDC around March of the same year. People showed positive interest, and he ended up spending more than three years refining and completing the game. After funding its $200,000 development himself, Braid was released in 2008 and became Blow’s breakout game.
Following the success of Braid, Jonathan and his team at Thekla Incorporated decided to make another game. He wanted to make a bigger project that takes the ideas in Braid and explores them deeper. It is a more mature game, to say the least. As an indie developer, the team had six people for most of the process. However, they needed to get extra help from architects and sound designers from time to time. But generally, they had lenient working hours, avoiding crunch culture. Given the nature and objectives of the project, all the earnings of Braid were spent. After seven years of development, The Witness launched in 2016.
Impact of Jonathan Blow on the Gaming Space
Aside from receiving critical acclaim and solid commercial success, Jonathan Blow has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. Braid and The Witness are milestones in game design. They made indie games a form of art and storytelling. Blow’s works inspired many other creators to take creative risks. Most importantly, he continues to demonstrate that games can be meaningful and thought-provoking, without losing their entertainment value.
Note: This article uses information and insights from Game Developer (a), Game Developer (b), Notion, and The Guardian, to ensure depth and reliability.
