Jonathan Blow's New Project: Order of the Sinking Star Set for 2026
Following a decade-long hiatus since the release of The Witness, Jonathan Blow is returning to the spotlight. At The Game Awards, his next project was officially titled Order of the Sinking Star, with a release window set for October 8, 2026.
Developed by Thekla, Order of the Sinking Star is a top-down title that builds upon block-pushing mechanics, integrating four distinct puzzle mechanics as the player progresses. The game is expected to feature over 1,000 puzzles. Developers estimate that a standard playthrough will take approximately 250 hours, while completing all challenges could exceed 500 hours of gameplay.
A significant technical aspect of the project is its engine, which is built using the Jai programming language. Jonathan Blow began developing Jai in 2014 to address limitations in C++ and streamline the development process. This focus on building a custom language contributed to the long development cycle following The Witness.
In an interview with 4Gamer, the designer discussed the game's narrative and design philosophy. Blow revealed that Order of the Sinking Star features a much more prominent story than his previous titles. He explained that the mechanics are closely tied to the characters, allowing the narrative to emerge naturally from the gameplay rather than feeling like an afterthought.
Maintaining his reputation for avoiding sequels, Thekla continues to focus on original, standalone experiences. Blow emphasized his view of games as art rather than mere products designed to manipulate players through artificial retention mechanics like trophies or achievements. He also hinted at future interests in procedural generation, noting that a prototype for a more randomized game is already in development.
Order of the Sinking Star will be available on the following platforms:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Switch 2
Флешка
