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"Thatgamecompany is a small, independent game studio based out of Santa Monica, California. Founded in 2006 by Jenova Chen and Kellee Santiago, the development studio has focused on games that are experimental, artistic and widely accessible to gamers. This focus has allowed them to reach what they refer to as the "Core" audience. This includes not only the hardcore and casual gamers but people that wouldn't call themselves gamers at all! thatgamecompany has released a number of award winning ..."
"Contrary to popular expectations, not all incarnations of Jenova are evil. In fact, our guest for this interview is Jenova Chen, the Creative Director of thatgamecompany, one of the few game development agencies out there hellbent on proving that there is life outside of kill death ratios."
"If he had played the game, which of course he has not, Ebert would know that Braid is specifically about the impossibility of taking back our mistakes. As the game builds toward its famous final level, time manipulation ceases to be an amusing superpower and becomes instead a tragic distortion of perspective: What if you thought, mistakenly, that you could bend the laws of nature to your will? What sorts of mistakes might you make as a result? You would probably make some pretty horrible o..."
When video games are designed to look a specific way, the visual style can often last well past the viability of a console. This article examines how developers create visually "timeless" graphics, as well as collects several of the most prominent examples.
In an effort to get feedback on the unique PSN title "Flower", the creators ran a contest for players to submit their experiences. In the end, "thatgamecompany" received emotionally heart felt and touching responses they could have never imagined.
"And behind all this impressive ebb and flow of nature is the game’s soundtrack, something which subtly directs the tone of each level without overpowering the other elements of the game. Each petal the player collects also triggers a chord to play, so successfully navigating a string of flowers often opens up something of a melody inside a melody. It’s simple, but impressive."
The latest Playstation Pulse episode contains a list for the top ten most downloaded Playstation 3 dynamic themes on the Playstation Store so far this year.
The top ten most downloaded Playstation Network games on the Playstation Store for the month of February, according to the latest Playstation Pulse episode.
"Gaming culture takes over Tate Britain tomorrow, March 5th 2010, as everything from low-tech parlour games Charades and Werewolf to performance and interactive media art with Blast Theory's Can You See Me Now? take the spotlight in Late at Tate Britain: Game Play. Plus talks from presenters of Resonance FM's One Life Left Ste Curran and Simon Byron, and experimental music from David Toop and Unknown Devices: Laptop Orchestra will be taking place- it's all to play for."
"Even with all the fall 2009 releases that were delayed into 2010, it's still been a heck of a year for games. Blockbusters everywhere! You couldn't walk to the bus without tripping over one, it seems. And with all that obsessing over the big-name hits, a huge number of worthy also-rans have gone almost completely overlooked by gamers at large. Well, that just doesn't sit right with us. Sure, we like the triple-A titles as much as the next batch of game-obsessed nerds, but we love the little g..."
Gaming Target continues their weeklong look at their favorite games from 2009. Eight games will be posted everyday with "The Best of the Best" appearing on Friday.
The Playstation Network had a big year in 2009 for the Playstation 3 with many great games being released on the Playstation Store. So which five titles managed to be the best of the crop for 2009?
"Last time I collected NeoGAF’s great MS Paint renditions of video games, it was for a years worth. Someone decided to start the thread early, which is fine with me as a lot of great work from Junior Members of the board are now able to participate, along with some classic pieces from older members. Below are just my favorite picks, enjoy guessing which games they are from, and make sure to check the original thread which is still active on NeoGAF."
"With the release of the new PS3 for $500AUS, many new Australians will have a brand new PS3 sitting in their lounge room. With the PSN being home to many amazing exclusive & multi-platform games, these are the games every PS3 owner, past, present & future needs to own."
"Edge, Future’s international videogames magazine and website, has announced the shortlist for its Edge Award For Interactive Innovation, which is set for presentation during the Edinburgh Interactive Festival next week. The list recognises the games commercially released in the last twelve months that have, in the judge’s opinions, done most to mark out new directions for videogaming."
"First things first, the game is gorgeous. The flower petals, grass, and lighting effects are verdant, vibrant, and full of life. Blades of grass ripple in waves as the wind blows, and petals swirl majestically around and around. The music is top notch, gentle and unobtrusive, with a mild but nonetheless moving presentation. Soft guitars and other musical cues accompany your actions in a way that is both poignant, and subtle."
"The NPD Group revealed the top retail sales of May 2009 some two weeks ago, and every month GamerBytes looks at what NPD numbers don’t cover: the games released via the Xbox Live Arcade and Sony's PlayStation Network for PlayStation 3.
We’re taking a look at the Top 10 PlayStation Network titles for May 2009, supplied to us through Sony's PlayStation press representatives. The PlayStation Network received 3 new titles during May – Puzzle Quest Galactrix, Zen Pinball and Texas Cheat’em, all..."
"If you have no real experience with the medium of downloadable “arcade” games -and especially if you are new to the using the Playstation 3’s online service- you can instantly find yourself confused as to what downloadable titles are worth their salt…
Some downloadable games will in fact get demos such as the recently implemented Savage Moon Demo, but most of the time, you will be buying a game without any hands-on experience, with the only references being from online gaming sites. If you..."
Flower was as highly reviewed PSN game that also fared well in sales. One of the key things the game was trying to achieve was creating emotion. And that couldn't have been done without the right type of music. And now you can listen to the soundtrack where ever you go. And when ever you are feeling relaxing, start playing flower music for that perfect mood.
Flower soundtrack will be available on PSN and iTunes very soon. A price has not been announced yet, but probably less then the game.
"We’ve been hit hard by arcade releases over the last few months. A genre I had once discredited as an easy way to leech more money from online gamers, has now become a vastly strong pillar in the gaming industry. The term arcade nowadays is used rather loosely for those thinking that I’m twittering on about the latest Tetris or Galaga devices; arcade in modern gaming terms simply means games that are available to download from either Xbox Live of Playstation Network such as The Maw or Noby No..."
"Indie developer ThatGameCompany has been talking up the PS3's strengths, explaining some of the design processes behind PSN title Flower.
If you haven't played it, the atmospheric Flower sees you using SixAxis motion control to guide petals through some gorgeous rural environments featuring giant fields and thousands of blades of grass.
"It really would be impossible to make it look the same on any other system. But, it's one of the pros with knowing your game is exclusive to a specific..."
"Looks like PS3 fans are willing to give experimental gaming a chance. The PSN-exclusives Flower and Noby Noby Boy both take the top spots in February. These innovative games take gaming in new directions, and we're glad to see gamers have embraced them.
Flower
Noby Noby Boy
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
3 on 3 NHL Arcade
Savage Moon
Mortal Kombat II
Bejeweled 2
Burnout Paradise
Linger in Shadows
Magic Ball"
"JC: I force myself to play some games...like Final Fantasy XII. I had to struggle through because of all the [endless quests]. Even though I really wanted to know how the story ended, after a couple weeks I had to just give up. The chore of making your character gain more experience to complete the game had no relevance to real life. And that is where a lot of games lose people."
"All alone on V-Day? Emotionally in the dumps? Just want to commiserate with the best of them?
Because we know how you feel, we've scraped up the loneliest games to help you sulk away the year's loneliest weekend without playing with your joystick too much. May these titles further freeze the icy blankets on your Twin-size bed."
Flower was just released today on the Playstation Network. It tries to do something that many other games don't, and is causing a stir between gamers and critics. The article is mainly about how the game is judged mostly on first impressions, and how the game is very different. Pushsquare.com argues that gamers should broaden their horizons and try not to be so blatantly ignorant with different games as its good to help progress gaming.
ThatGameCompanies new game; Flower will be coming out on the Playstation Store this thursday and the reviews are in. Its doing very well for a Playstation Network title, with its highest score coming from 1up at a 100. The lowest is Playstation Universe at a low 65. Fallow the link to view more of the reviews.
Average Score=87/100
*The average score isn't final and soon to be update with more incoming reviews.
"thatgamecompany co-founder Jenova Chen is intensely passionate about his upcoming PlayStation Network release “Flower” and the impression he hopes it leaves on the people who interact with it, even going so far as to say “Flower” should inspire them to feel better about themselves.
Sometimes I feel relieved and happy after taking out a few ghouls in “Gears of War 2,” but video games are largely stress-based affairs. Not “Flower,” though. “Flower” intends to be the opposite...."
You are probably eagerly waiting for Feb. 10th to download Flower. Well further details have come out to let you know how much money you should put in your wallet before hand. Flower will be priced at 10 US dollars and will have 7 levels. Which will take about 3 hours to complete. ThatGameCompany decided to make the game much like a movie, fallowing the path of Ups, downs and intense climax.
Continue on to read about the variety of levels.
Contrary to earlier reports, Flower will be coming out what appears to be a week early (February 12).
If you don't know what the game is about, lead programmer John explains:
Flower, shower, power tower,
First class, string bass, grass en masse,
Sun, fun, nearly done,
Petal, metal, lightning gun?
Some new game footage and more at the source.
"According to a Sony Denmark release schedule acquired by videogaming247, ThatGameCompany’s lovely looking Flower will be released on PlayStation Network on February 19.
Earlier today, we were treated to two new Flower gameplay movies of this long sought-after PS3 exclusive."
Flower is shaping up to be one of the most beautiful PSN games so far. From bringing the life back the world and enjoying the music while you are doing so. In this new trailer we get see some more Flower is action (even though its not really action) it still looks amazingly beautiful. But what gamepro has realized is the man made objects in the world and the possibility that in the end of the game, you are making your way to the big city to bring it back to life in beauty. Continue on to view...
"Got a great demo of That Game Company's newest game FLOWER when I was in Santa Monica last week. Holy Shit! Now I had played the first level before and really liked it. I had liked it alot more than flOw which- as I always say- I APPRECIATED but never really enjoyed as a game experience. But this new game? Shit, man. It's on the road to being a classic, no doubt. And I don't say that lightly cause while the core game mechanics are fun, it- in my mind- lives or dies by the emotions it creates ..."
"Transitioning from modern-day urban apartments that double as level hubs, you'll quickly make the leap into gorgeously-rendered, verdant green fields, all seemingly ripped right from America's pastoral heartland. The catch: Many patches of plants and foliage inhabiting these environments appear dull and lifeless, seemingly having had the color and energy leeched right out of them. What's more, you don't control a character, per se, here - rather, you manipulate the ebb and flow of the wind. W..."
"What is your process like, at thatgamecompany? From concepts, do you then do prototyping?
JC: Yeah, this is technically the first original IP for thatgamecompany, because when we first started working on flOw, the game was already there, you know? Like the Flash game, the design, the artistic style, it's all there. So the first project we did was more like, we needed to learn how to use PS3, and we need to buff up the look and the sound to make it look like a PS3 game.
So Flower is th..."
FlOwer made its debut at TGS this year. The game is being created by the same developers that made flOw for PSN. When the trailer appeared, which can be seen here, it didn't show much. But now the Dev's speak out saying that the game has a lot to do with music much like flow was. Also it involves growing flOwers. But no word on how it is done. The game is set to release in 2008.
From the creators of flOw comes there newest game from TGS, flOwer. Not much is known about the game other then that it contains flowers. By the looks of it, will have simple, relaxed game play just like flOw. The trailer has been attached for your viewing pleasure below.