A Puzzling Silence: Why One of the Best Puzzle Games of All Time is Being Ignored on Steam

In the quiet corners of the video game world, a crime is being committed. A new sequel to one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed puzzle games of all time has been released, and it is being met not with a chorus of praise, but with a deafening silence. The game, which is the long-awaited follow-up to the legendary 2016 title The Witness, has a peak player count of just 62 concurrent players on Steam. This is a shocking and a disappointing number for a game that is a spiritual successor to a title that sold over a million copies and was universally praised as a masterpiece of game design. The fact that so few people are playing it is a testament to a number of factors, including the developer’s unique and often-controversial approach to marketing and a fanbase that may be waiting for a console release.

The game in question is the untitled Sokoban-style puzzle game from renowned developer Jonathan Blow and his team at Thekla, Inc. While not a direct sequel in a narrative sense, the game is a clear continuation of the design philosophy that made The Witness so special. It is a game that is all about the power of observation, the joy of discovery, and the profound satisfaction that comes from solving a puzzle that feels impossible. The game, which is being described as “the biggest handcrafted puzzle game ever made,” is a massive undertaking, with a rumored 800+ puzzles and a playtime that is estimated to be over 500 hours for a completionist. The fact that a game of this ambition and scope is being ignored is a true tragedy for the puzzle game genre.

A Developer’s Dilemma: The Price of a Silent Release

The low player count is not a complete surprise, however. Jonathan Blow is famously a developer who does not believe in traditional marketing. He prefers to let the game speak for itself, a philosophy that, while admirable, has a number of drawbacks. The game was released with very little fanfare, and many people, even dedicated fans of The Witness, are completely unaware of its existence. This is a major issue in a world where new games are released every single day, and it has led to a situation where a truly great game is being overlooked by the very audience it was made for. The fact that the game is a PC-only release and has not yet been announced for consoles is also a factor. The Witness found a massive audience on PlayStation 4, and it is highly likely that many console players are waiting for a port before they jump in.

• The Anti-Marketing Stance: Blow’s choice to not market the game is a double-edged sword. While it is a testament to his belief in his work, it is also a major reason why the game is not getting the attention it deserves. In the modern gaming landscape, you need to tell people your game exists, or it will be lost in the endless stream of new releases.
• A Niche for the Patient: The game’s low player count is also a reflection of the genre itself. Puzzle games are a niche market, and a game that is famously difficult and requires a massive time commitment is not going to appeal to a mass audience. This is a game for the puzzle connoisseur, for the person who loves to sit down and scratch their head for hours, and that audience is, by its very nature, a small one.
• The Search for the Next Great Idea: The game’s low player count is a sobering reminder that a developer’s legacy is not a guarantee of a new game’s success. The gaming world is constantly on the move, and players are always looking for the next big thing. For now, it seems that Jonathan Blow’s next great idea is still waiting to be discovered by the masses.

A Crime Against Gaming

In conclusion, the low player count for Jonathan Blow’s new game is a crime against gaming. It is a game that is a true work of art, a masterpiece of puzzle design that deserves to be celebrated. It is a game that will teach you how to think in new and surprising ways, a game that will challenge you, and a game that will reward you with a sense of profound and beautiful discovery. For now, the game remains a hidden gem, a secret that is only known to a dedicated few. But in time, with the help of the passionate community that is already growing around it, it is a game that will be discovered and celebrated for what it truly is: a work of genius. The puzzle has been released, and now it is up to the players to find it, to solve it, and to share it with the world.