Tone Control cover image

Tone Control

Tone Control 9: Jonathan Blow

Feb 15, 2014
Jonathan Blow, creator of Braid and The Witness, discusses topics such as dropping out of school, his experiences in the gaming industry, challenges of game development, working with artists, intense Kung Fu training, the physical and mental benefits of Tai Chi, and the design choices behind 'The Witness'.
01:58:03

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Using rewind mechanics in games can simplify and enhance gameplay experiences.
  • Braid was inspired by books like Invisible Cities and Einstein's Dreams, aiming to capture their contemplative atmosphere.

Deep dives

Development of Braid and the Inspiration Behind It

The podcast episode discusses the development of the game Braid. The main ideas covered include the initial experiment of using rewind mechanics, the frustration with traditional game mechanics, the inspiration from books like Invisible Cities and Einstein's Dreams, and the focus on design and art to create a cohesive experience. The speaker also mentions the challenges faced during development, including the need for robust features, compliance with platform requirements, and collaboration with artists and musicians. Overall, the podcast explores the creative process and motivations behind the unique and critically acclaimed game Braid.

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