The developers of classics such as fl0w, Flower and Journey, thatgamecompany, celebrates 20 years of emotional storytelling, and looks ahead to the future.
To mark the special occasion, the company has released a new 20th anniversary video looking back on their history, and Jenova Chen, CEO & Creative Director, had the following message for the fans that have stuck with them over the years:
“Twenty years ago, thatgamecompany started from a mission that our
earliest players put into words for us: show the world that video games
can be art, and that they can create a genuine, positive impact on
people’s lives. That message, arriving in emails and letters from
players who felt unseen by the medium, became the north star we have
followed ever since.
From those first few letters to now hundreds
of millions of players, our story has really been one of gradually
expanding the boundaries of what a video game can be and who it can
reach. Each of our games built on the previous one, using the medium as
an artistic canvas to prove that a video game could move you to tears,
that it could stand alongside any art form ever made, and ultimately
that it could bring people of all ages and culture together.
And
yet, even today, there is still debate about what video games are and
what potential they hold. That is why our work continues, to evangelize
games as an art form for people of all generations in every corner of
the world.
Looking back, I feel incredibly proud of what our team
and our players have built together over these past two decades. But
what moves me most is where it all began: a few letters from players who
simply wanted games to mean more, and the millions who have since
shared that same belief in their own ways.
As we look ahead, we
believe the next 20 years will further broaden the definition of what
interactive experiences can be: a powerful artistic medium for healing,
for connection, for reminding us of our shared humanity.
We are only at the beginning of what is possible.”
The company was originally founded in 2006 with what they describe as a simple but ambitious belief that games can be a genuine artistic medium for emotional connection, beauty, and shared humanity. Over the years the team would grow from a small experimental time from USC's game design program, to one of the most influential creative voices in interactive entertainment.
Titles Developed by thatgamecompany
flOw (2007): A meditative, minimalist experience built around the psychology of flow state. It established the studio's signature approach to emotionally intelligent, intentional and visually elegant game design.
Flower (2009): A wordless and poetic experience. It explored the contrast and harmony between urban bustle and nature’s serenity.
Journey (2012): A landmark title that served as an allegory of life, redefining what multiplayer storytelling could feel like through anonymous companionship and emotional connection rather than competition. It became one of the most celebrated games of its generation, earning numerous Game of the Year honors.
Sky: Children of the Light (2019): A living social world built on compassion, connection and shared wonder. Sky has brought together millions of players across cultures and generations, and it continues to grow through the creativity, feedback and passion of its community.
thatgamecompany's Legacy
Over its two decades, thatgamecompany has broadened the cultural perception of what video games can be and what they can make people feel. Through its four acclaimed titles, the studio has created emotionally resonant interactive experiences that have connected with players around the world while influencing conversations around games as an artistic and meaningful cultural form.
The studio’s work has received numerous honors from organizations including the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and the Game Developers Choice Awards, and has been featured in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Looking Ahead
As thatgamecompany enters its third decade, the studio remains committed to its original mission of creating meaningful, heartfelt experiences that bring people closer together through play. While new projects are already in development behind the scenes, the studio will continue to invest in the future of Sky: Children of the Light, expanding its world through new experiences, storytelling and community-driven initiatives that deepen the connection between players both in and outside the game.
Twenty years. Four games. Hundreds of millions of players. And, a lot more to come soon.
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