Braid Creator Concerned by Microsoft's Next-Gen Approach
Makes more sense to release The Witness on PS4.
The Witness will be a timed exclusive when it launches on Sony's PlayStation 4. But will it come to a Microsoft platform in the future? That all depends on the next Xbox, according to creator Jonathan Blow, who admits that the rumours surrounding the console fill him with "a certain amount of dread."
The developer made a name for himself after launching Braid on Xbox Live Arcade, and therefore is no stranger to Microsoft's current indie policies. He only knows as much as the next person as to what the next-generation Xbox will feature, but if the whispers ring true then you can colour him uninterested.
Speaking with Edge about the PlayStation 4, Blow said, "I think Sony realise that downloadable games are going to be bigger than they ever have been, and I think they realise that part of success in that area is having developers who are making the most interesting games want to be on their platform."
On the reasons for going with a timed exclusive for Sony's console, Blow revealed, "There were a lot of reasons why it was a good choice. Some were technical – we haven’t officially been disclosed on Microsoft’s next console, but we do see the same leaks as everyone else has, and they seem plausible.
To me they talk about a console that is not strictly about games. It’s trying to be the centre of the living room device, which is fine and maybe it’s the right thing for Microsoft to do, business-wise. I don’t know; I actually don’t think it is, but they’ve certainly thought about it more than me! As a place to put the best, highest performing version of our game on, it doesn’t seem as good a choice."
Blow then noted his past experience with Microsoft. "I’ve had a bad time working with Microsoft in the past. Maybe not super bad, but a moderately bad time in terms of business relationships. Other developers who are friends of mine have had a horrible time, so the idea of signing up again with Microsoft isn’t something I’d have ruled out, but there’s a certain amount of dread I have about doing that again.
"I don’t have that with Sony. Who knows, maybe it’ll turn out to be just as bad at the end! But I don’t think so. The people we’re talking to on a daily basis there are just really good people, and we’re happy to work with them."
The developer made a name for himself after launching Braid on Xbox Live Arcade, and therefore is no stranger to Microsoft's current indie policies. He only knows as much as the next person as to what the next-generation Xbox will feature, but if the whispers ring true then you can colour him uninterested.
Speaking with Edge about the PlayStation 4, Blow said, "I think Sony realise that downloadable games are going to be bigger than they ever have been, and I think they realise that part of success in that area is having developers who are making the most interesting games want to be on their platform."
On the reasons for going with a timed exclusive for Sony's console, Blow revealed, "There were a lot of reasons why it was a good choice. Some were technical – we haven’t officially been disclosed on Microsoft’s next console, but we do see the same leaks as everyone else has, and they seem plausible.
To me they talk about a console that is not strictly about games. It’s trying to be the centre of the living room device, which is fine and maybe it’s the right thing for Microsoft to do, business-wise. I don’t know; I actually don’t think it is, but they’ve certainly thought about it more than me! As a place to put the best, highest performing version of our game on, it doesn’t seem as good a choice."
Blow then noted his past experience with Microsoft. "I’ve had a bad time working with Microsoft in the past. Maybe not super bad, but a moderately bad time in terms of business relationships. Other developers who are friends of mine have had a horrible time, so the idea of signing up again with Microsoft isn’t something I’d have ruled out, but there’s a certain amount of dread I have about doing that again.
"I don’t have that with Sony. Who knows, maybe it’ll turn out to be just as bad at the end! But I don’t think so. The people we’re talking to on a daily basis there are just really good people, and we’re happy to work with them."
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