The Art of Braid, Part V: The Emotional Experience
April 1st, 2008
Braid would have been released a while ago, but it was delayed to improve the end product. The fact is, not everyone wants to solve puzzles; some people just want an experience. We’ve made a number of changes in recent months to ensure Braid can be enjoyed by the widest possible group.
Meet Bloopi! He will repeatedly jump into your path. If you touch him, he becomes your inseparable companion.
Bloopi is an autonomous AI controlled personality. To help the player form an emotional connection, Bloopi points out useful things. Look! He found a key!
Bloopi is a hungry little guy. He’ll eat just about anything that’s not nailed down … including Tim (so be careful)! Feed him a lot and he’ll evolve.
When Bloopi evolves, he emits a happy squeal and immediately solves the nearest puzzle. Then he returns to normal.
Repeat the process and you can beat the whole game this way … if you really want to!
Bloopi ages in real time. Whereas he used to bound joyously in front of you, soon he begins to lag behind. His bones become weak and his skin loses elasticity.
Caring for Bloopi takes more and more of your time. You find yourself cancelling social engagements and passing up interesting jobs. Whatever life you used to have is forgotten.
Bloopi dies, and you’re alone in the house.
April 1st, 2008 at 2:51 am
Awesome! I was worried that Braid was a little lacking in personality. And what better way to draw the player in that a pet AI character that ages in real time?
April 1st, 2008 at 6:06 am
Ha ha, wonderful. I assume I can use Microsoft® Points to purchase Bloopi accessories, such as new hats and tassels, to make the experience uniquely my own, yes?
April 1st, 2008 at 12:59 pm
thank god he’s dead.
April 1st, 2008 at 3:19 pm
That’s pretty cool, but I hope you still have to think a lot even if you have a choice…
Games don’t do that enough.
By the way: even though you’ve heard this a lot, this game looks great and I’m really excited about it.
April 1st, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I left a similar comment over on Jonathan’s Braid site but I’ll repeat it here: this is the best game industry related April Fools joke on the whole of the internet. Kudos.
April 1st, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Hahahha. Awesome. What about the cooperative mode?? LoL.
April 1st, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Oooh. April fools…
I figured Lego Halo out, but…
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:02 am
Fantastic! Easily the best april fools laugh I’ve had in years.
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:39 am
Oh god no! Why Bloopi?? WHY?!!?
April 4th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Oh god, you’re a terrible person D:.
May 8th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
[...] maybe we should have Bloopi go, “Look, Tim! The magic of the puzzles is powering the ladder segments! It’s [...]
February 9th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Those nipple tassles…just..wow.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Actually, think that there should have been a “Bloopi” level in Braid. Would have been quite interesting.
April 14th, 2009 at 5:49 am
I’m actually divided, because I really could use some help to catch that darn princess… altho seemingly, Bloopi dies at World 3, eh?
Hmmn.. with Braid now on PC, Bloopi mods can be possible.
Scary thought…
June 29th, 2011 at 1:13 am
I know this is an ancient history post, but I can’t help but laugh at the way Tim looks at Bloopi in the pictures.
July 10th, 2011 at 5:09 am
[...] Habe nie gewusst, dass es einen Aprilscherz von Braid gab, mit einen… [...]
May 5th, 2012 at 10:07 pm
Like gavin said, his expression is hilarious. In the second picture, I’m just imagining Tim silently muttering to himself “Ohgodgoaway”