Well after giving 'small' percentages to a)Yan b)Robert c) US Govt d) Finnish Govt and e) Google ..I am sure he won't be interested in another shareholder :P

I think it's got an appropriate level of polish. The original version with the marbles was rather ugly, but the updated graphics look super-cute while still remaining functional.

Braid wouldn't be Braid without the art. Dirt cheap illustrators won't help him; he needs someone good.

That's why you hire a student - students who are really good will often take on a project just because it, say, hones a skill they're looking to improve, or because it fits in nicely with a class assignment they need to do anyway. Or maybe your game project is part of how they'll get that full-time job they're seeking out at Blizzard?

They say in tech recruiting that "the best people will almost never be looking for jobs" - it's true in creative fields too. In terms of trading off cost and talent, I can't think of a resource as undertapped as art and design students.