Blow wanted new Braid theme to be free
by Xav de Matos 
{ Jan 12th 2009 at 3:30PM }
($3.12 USD) rate."We want to make it free, but Microsoft doesn't like giving things out for free," Blow wrote on the Braid blog. Those who decide to purchase the theme may take solace in the fact that the entire package is comprised wholly of artwork from the game and not text. "You can be secure in the knowledge that you own one of the few Premium Themes that is not an advertisement," Blow wrote.
According to Blow, his original idea was to give away codes for the theme to celebrate its release but Microsoft voted against it. Instead, Blow has 20 codes for Braid itself and is currently holding a Name That Game contest on the Braid blog to select winners.
[via 1UP]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
craig64 @ Jan 12th 2009 3:38PM
I may have to pick this up, as the free winter theme is starting to get to be too much with all of this damn snow outside.
I have no idea what any of those Name That Game games are....
Knight Marquise @ Jan 12th 2009 3:42PM
"We want to make it free, but Microsoft doesn't like giving things out for free," Blow wrote on the Braid blog.
Wow, who would have though MS was a business that looks to profit? FFS, if MS were to give the item away for free, one must wonder if Mr. Blow would be willing to subsidize MS for the bandwidth cost, server usage, etc.
Jcarpio @ Jan 12th 2009 3:46PM
What's wrong with profit?
offday @ Jan 12th 2009 3:57PM
What's wrong with giving loyal customers, who have already shelled out hundreds of dollars, something free every now and then?
I mean really, how much does MS seriously think they will make from a theme?
MS is really starting to piss me off. They're the reason TF2 content has never seen the light of the day, and also the reason why the upcoming L4D content will more than likely cost way too much.
the_pop @ Jan 12th 2009 3:58PM
Thats what the live subscription is apparently for. If a developer wants to give away something for free they should be able to.
Jcarpio @ Jan 12th 2009 4:01PM
Unfortunately, only way they'd listen is if the community did an "FU" and didn't buy the DLC at all.
Which the Sony crew had a chance to do, but they shelled out a million dollars anyway on content.
SeNiLe911 @ Jan 12th 2009 4:44PM
I highly doubt M$ has anything to do with giving the theme away for free or not. He was the one that set the price so high on his game in the first place, not M$. http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/07/blow-explains-dilemma-of-braids-price-to-1up/
Another thing, the themes that have advertising on them that he mentions are FREE, their not premium themes and the company giving them away for FREE pay M$ to do so. It's not like they make you download it either.
Even though I like Braid, Jonathan can BLOW!
Deezul @ Jan 12th 2009 3:51PM
I can't tell you how many times you see "i wanted it to be free but MS said no." The next time, provide an email or letter scan with OFFICAL Microsoft proof. Otherwise, it's just your word against theirs.
Prove it, or I call BS, yet again.
readmore @ Jan 12th 2009 4:04PM
Exactly. I say "yea right" to this whole MS won't let us give it away crap. I bet it went like this:
Braid guy - "We want to give away the Braid Theme for free".
MS rep - "You sure? Why not just charge the minimum?"
Braid guy - "Ya I guess... that makes sense."
Jeramy @ Jan 12th 2009 5:28PM
idk, capitalism is pretty fucked up like that
cranium @ Jan 12th 2009 4:08PM
I'm torn. I want to buy this because it's beautiful, I love Braid and I think Jonathan Blow deserves my money more than 99% of the designers out there.
But it almost sounds like he would rather people not buy it. I don't support Msoft's 'must charge' policy. They pulled it with Geometry Wars too. (which was well worth the cost, but Bizarre Studios wanted it to be free.)
What to do..
pixelate @ Jan 12th 2009 4:59PM
I loved Braid, I thought the artistic direction of the game was some of the most brilliant I've seen in years.
Bought this theme with that sentiment in mind... aaand it's completely hideous. Yeah, it uses only artwork from the game, but it's essentially a few cropped screenshots slapped together. Plus the "horizon" bubble or whatever you call it (the colored base that is under everything on most pages in the NXE) is a drab-looking brown.
Don't buy this theme. Instant regret.
Alex @ Jan 12th 2009 5:15PM
'Jonathan Blow deserves my money more than 99% of the designers out there'
Is Peter Molyneux in this 1% group?
cranium @ Jan 12th 2009 8:34PM
yes he is. even though i haven't played fable 2 yet i know enough from his interviews, developer diaries and more that he has the kind of creative mind that I want to see more of.
dave @ Jan 12th 2009 4:11PM
It's not necessarily that they're charging but overcharging for a bunch of pictures. Much like them overcharging for the wireless adaptor and HDD.
baby sea tuna @ Jan 12th 2009 4:12PM
While I agree that more of these themes should be free, Jonathan Blow needs a tall steaming cup of shut-the-fuck-up.
Knight Marquise @ Jan 12th 2009 4:39PM
Thank Gawd someone else feels the same way about Blow.
Personally, I don't mind that they charge for themes and what not. If I don't like it, I don't buy it. I do wish, however, that we were allowed to create our own themes, other then just slapping 1 picture for all the backgrounds.
Neuromancer @ Jan 12th 2009 4:55PM
Yeah he lost all credibility with me when he talked shit about Bioshock.
Winter @ Jan 12th 2009 4:27PM
So Castle Crashers was able to have a free theme but Braid isn't? Why do I have a sneaky suspicion that Blow just wants to be liked and revel in his indie programmer celebrity right now and that's why every time he opens his mouth he has to blame Microsoft for things that aren't popular with the fans.
Deezul @ Jan 12th 2009 9:52PM
Castle Crashers PREMIUM theme isn't free. It's a pre NXE theme that's free.
Tep @ Jan 12th 2009 4:47PM
I don't care what this guy has too say anymore honestly. He's too damn cocky for his own good, the independent version of Dennis Dyack
DeadPlasmaCell @ Jan 12th 2009 5:01PM
I love the Premium themes, but they're just too expensive.. They should at least let you preview them or something before you buy them.. but I already know the reasoning on why they wont.. still though.
UNSCleric @ Jan 12th 2009 5:03PM
Braid sucks.
Xploited13 @ Jan 12th 2009 5:29PM
Someone missed the boat when it came to the concept of "Premium"...
justshovejayohbe @ Jan 12th 2009 10:08PM
I don't care how much you wanted your "theme" to cost, buddy, your game is over-priced.
Mr. Nosuch @ Jan 13th 2009 12:59PM
I will never buy a theme from Microsoft for two reasons:
1. No try before you buy.
2. They know they suck, because the sell it to you with a "THERE ARE NO REFUNDS", knowing that tons of people would want their money back after actually seeing a theme.
I have no problem with no refunds if you can actually try out a theme. But to insist on both is a set up for a con:
"Hey, buddy, I have this awesome there for your xbox, it looks so cool!"
"Really? Can I see it?"
"It's really cool. You can trust me. It's only $4! That's nothing."
"Can I see it?"
"Now you are just hurting my feelings. You want this awesome theme, or are you puss?"
"Well, I guess... Ok, here's my $4"
"Here you go. No refunds. See you later."
"Hey, wait, this looks like ass..."