Jonathan Blow, credited as a key figure in the modern indie game movement following his 2008 release of Braid, is releasing Order of the Sinking Star after a decade of development. The game features approximately 1,500 puzzles and is estimated to require around 500 hours for players to complete, positioning it as what Blow describes as the largest puzzle game ever created. The title will be available on PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5.
The game’s structure incorporates mechanics from four existing free puzzle games developed by other designers, with their permission. By combining these mechanical systems, the development team created new puzzle challenges that emerge from the intersection of different design frameworks. One example involves mirror-based mechanics from Mirror Isles merged with stone-throwing mechanics from Skipping Stones to Lonely Homes, generating novel puzzle possibilities from the combination.
Blow emphasized that his design philosophy prioritizes creative vision over commercial considerations. He stated that his approach to game development has consistently favored experimental design even when such decisions might not align with conventional business practices. The developer noted that the industry’s approach to design has shifted over time, with fewer developers prioritizing entirely new experiences.
The project’s extended timeline reflects Blow’s comprehensive approach to development. Rather than using existing game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine, he developed a custom programming language called Jai and built a custom engine alongside it. This unconventional approach allowed him to create tools specifically tailored to his vision, though he acknowledged the project operated on “nightmare mode” due to the simultaneous complexity of multiple development challenges.
Blow expressed skepticism regarding artificial intelligence in game development, noting that AI was not incorporated into the project’s pipeline. He questioned the claimed productivity benefits of AI tools and raised concerns about potential industry-wide consequences if developers become overly dependent on AI-assisted coding rather than developing foundational programming skills.
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