Ever since thatgamecompany’s Journey released early for PlayStation Plus users last week, both fans and critics alike can’t stop raving about the amazing experience that Jenova Chen and his team have created. In reflecting back on his three game partnership with Sony, Chen wishes to express his gratitude in receiving such an amazing opportunity.
Speaking to GameIndustry.biz at GDC, the TGC co-founder shared how amazing an experience it has been for him and his team to have worked with Sony.
I think we were very lucky to be able to work with Sony. Right now digital distribution is the future but at that time no one was developing anything for it! When we signed the contract the PlayStation was due to launch in four months, so they were in dire need for content.
When we pitched Flower I didn’t really know what the game was. I just said ‘hey, we want to make a game that is about feeling of being in love to others.’ Sony’s publisher side was actually crazy enough to sign that.
I think it was also because at the time Phil Harrison was the president and he was really trying to push for innovation because Microsoft had the lead.
Sony’s willingness to support the outlandishly creative ideas of thatgamecompany has definitely worked in their favor, as the team’s three titles are some of the best exclusives Sony has to offer. Unfortunately, that only serves to make the news of their plans to go multiplatform in the future all the more difficult to bear, as well as the news that Phil Harrison now works for Microsoft.
