| I quite Like Jon Blow's creative activity, but my god the author of that article must never play any game that costs less than €50. Blockbuster games have as much intellectual requirement as blockbuster films.
The films advertised on billboards aren't typically the ones that advance the medium creatively.
Games are no different. The problem with Braid is that it wasn't that innovative.
Nice art style, sure.
But is a 2d-platformer so revolutionary?
Time-based play elements weren't new either. So it was a well-built, good looking game, based on established mechanics, with a great story.
Not a revolution in gaming though. There are far more progressive games out there, which are far further removed from the world of the Blockbusters.
On that basis I'd say that Blow is nice to have around, but he's no messiah, and not as essential to the medium as is suggested.
I'd go so far as to say his attitude actually propogates the stereotype of the surly, antisocial gamer. Some examples: Amnesia - pure distilled terror in a way no other medium can achieve, a proof of the unique value of games Minecraft - a game with no purpose, pure zen, which stuck two fingers up to fancy graphics (and it's sales proved the market for such games) Child of Eden - an absolutely beautiful game which connects the player with music Anyone want to add some of their favourite progressive games? |