Slamdance Contest Withdrawals

Wow. First up was Jonathan Blow, who withdrew his game Braid from the contest. Now the creators of flOw, Jonathan Mark of Everyday Shooter, and the Toblo dev team have done so.

The festival has an unsatisfying statement on their site. Ian Bogost's tombstone image on his post about the controversy starts to look prescient.

Update: Waking Games also withdraws Once Upon a Time.

Update: One of the contest's judges, Joe Bourrie makes a statement on the affair.

Update: Nick Montforth withdraws Book and Volume. Also, USC withdraws sponsorship of the event.