Braid Creator Jonathan Blow Reflects on Anniversary Edition's Underwhelming Sales

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Jonathan Blow, the creator of Braid, has shared that the game's anniversary edition has not been as successful as anticipated.

Jonathan Blow, the creator of Braid, has shared that the game's anniversary edition has not been as successful as anticipated. The original Braid, released in 2008 across multiple platforms, received widespread acclaim. It holds a commendable 93 Metacritic score for Xbox 360, praised for its beautiful presentation, unique storytelling, challenging puzzles, and captivating soundtrack. Many developers have cited Braid as a significant influence on their work.

When Braid: Anniversary Edition was announced at the end of 2023, expectations were high that this updated version would be well received. Released on both last and current-gen platforms, the anniversary edition offers over 15 hours of developer commentary, new levels, and enhanced visuals and audio. Priced at $19.99, it seemed positioned to attract both new players and those nostalgic for the original game.

Despite launching on May 14, 2024, to positive reviews—averaging an 89 rating on OpenCritic—the anniversary edition has not met sales expectations. Jonathan Blow admitted a month after its release that it had "sold horribly." Clips compiled by the YouTube channel Blow Fan from the developer’s Twitch streams show Blow’s shift from cautious optimism to open disappointment. More than two months post-launch, he candidly responded to a viewer's inquiry about sales, saying, "No, they are bad."

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The reasons for the lackluster sales are unclear. There may have been insufficient marketing following the initial announcement, leading some potential buyers to forget about the release. While many fans appreciate the remaster, others feel the changes are not significant enough to justify a replay, suggesting the anniversary edition may primarily appeal to newcomers. Currently, it has only 637 reviews on Steam, albeit with a Very Positive user rating.

The poor sales performance has had a ripple effect on Blow's other projects. Over the years, he has contributed to various unique games, including Flow, Phase, and the 2016 hit puzzle game The Witness. An experienced programmer, Blow has also been developing a new programming language called Jai. During a Twitch stream, he revealed that no one is working full-time on the Jai compiler due to the lack of funds resulting from Braid’s disappointing sales.

There is hope that sales for the anniversary edition will eventually improve, enabling Blow to continue developing innovative games without financial constraints.

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