Jan
19

Stop and Smell the Flower on PSN February 12th

Posted by Kellee Santiago // President and co-founder of thatgamecompany

Hi! I am really happy to finally let the internets know the official launch date for Flower. Hooray for releasing games (It’s really my favorite part)!

Flower is a tough game to describe. We like to think of it as a video game version of a poem; an exploration into the tension between urban bustle and natural serenity. Players accumulate flower petals as the onscreen world swings between the pastoral and the chaotic.

But even at E3 this year, a lot of the responses in the press were “it’s tough to describe… you just have to play it.” Because it’s not fair to only ask game journalists to try and describe such a different game, I’ve also asked all the people here at TGC to describe. To keep things even, they could only use 10 words – we’ve had more time to think about the game:

Nick Clark (Game Designer):

A windy journey that lets you flOw in 3D.

Martin Middleton (programmer extraordinaire):

We hope you enjoy our flowers.

Matt Nava:

Flower’s simple concept conceals grander themes that will provoke thought.

Jenova Chen:

An interactive poem exploring the tension between urban & nature.

John (Lead Programmer) [John broke the rule, but earns points for style here]:

Flower, shower, power tower,
First class, string bass, grass en masse,
Sun, fun, nearly done,
Petal, metal, lightning gun?

Once the game is out, maybe I can get you all to submit your 10-word descriptions of the game, and we can see what comes out of it. (Yes, yes, snarky commenter, we know what you’re about to submit.) …I like to think that if we could have expressed it in words, we wouldn’t have made a game about it in the first place.

In honor of the announcement, we’ve got some gameplay footage for you below.

Tagged //flower, psn

Filed: Developer Corner, PlayStation Games, PlayStation Network

191 Comments // 6 Replies

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(Average: 4.76 out of 5)

191 Comments // 6 Replies
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101

Wuggyboobeaufuf | January 19th, 2009 at 3:06 pm

FFS, WILL YOU REMOVE YOUR HEADS FROM YOUR POSTERIORS AND RELEASE THIS ON DISC FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WANT A PHYSICAL COPY?

102

Daver | January 19th, 2009 at 3:27 pm

its gonna be great! ill buy for sure

103

starblinky01 | January 19th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

well im already buying this game for sure. Also I thought it was Zen genre? The new genre you guys invented.

Cant wait to play this, any idea how much it will cost?

104

vandam | January 19th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Is this just a singal player game or mutiplayer game? online or off?… Looks great but then again alot of PS3 games look great.. :D

105

AdversaryofGod | January 19th, 2009 at 3:50 pm

This is exactly the kind of game I want to play after hard days of work. I really hope Flower last forever! I dont want to finish it in an evening…

106

FelonOnParole | January 19th, 2009 at 3:57 pm

Not my kinda game..

107

tirminyl | January 19th, 2009 at 4:41 pm

The game looks great! I can’t wait to pick it up!

108

OldSchool969 | January 19th, 2009 at 4:50 pm

I won’t be able to play the damn game if you guys don’t fix the lock up issue while messaging.

109

TheHater | January 19th, 2009 at 4:53 pm

Well Flower is another Buy for me. Do you guys have any idea what your next project is?

Oh and one trophy better be coming home from a long day at school and this game relax you :)

110

wutnowsucka | January 19th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

So is it possible that we will be able to play our own music on the HDD of the PS3 and play through the game? More PS3 games need In-game XMB music integration D:

111

cb_32 | January 19th, 2009 at 5:52 pm

IT IS QUITE UNFORTUNATE THAT PSN CARDS ARE NOT SOLD IN CANADA SO LOOKS LIKE I WONT BE GETTING IT LOL.

Get your act together Sony and release the damned card in Canada and UK already.

112

enewtabie | January 19th, 2009 at 5:58 pm

@101
It’s a PSN game(Playstation Network) You download it. You don’t buy it on a disk.It’s probably under a gig at least. Times change

113

Morphine16 | January 19th, 2009 at 6:18 pm

Will get this on day 1

114

Wuggyboobeaufuf | January 19th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

@112

Times only change if you let yourself be told they do.

Sony has a responsibility and a *duty* to satisfy *all* customers. If not all their customers want to download a game, then they have an *obligation* to make sure an alternative is there for other customers.

Right now, I’m one Peed off PS3/PSP owner.

Europe gets Echochrome on disc and we don’t? Unacceptable.

Europe gets Super Stardust PSP on disc and we don’t? Unacceptable.

Games available as downloads only? Unacceptable.

Until Sony removes its head from its rectum and decides to they’re going to meet the demands of *all* customers, they’re not getting my business.

And from the looks of things, they sure need it right about now.

115

Korlithiel | January 19th, 2009 at 7:22 pm

So PS3 only then? Looks interesting, wish it was tagged for what system it’s planned to be released for.

Kellee Santiago replied on January 20, 2009 at 11:23 am

Yes, PS3 – via download on Playstation Network.

116

stlthriot | January 19th, 2009 at 7:50 pm

Thanks much for your answers! I truly appreciate it. :)
As far as that co-op multiplayer goes, I was actually kind of hoping you would say it didn’t because it would be wierd for this game.
Flower looks truly amazing visually and aurally, I am definitely purchasing it on the 12th!

Also, any chance trophies are coming to flOw? :D

117

bdavid81 | January 19th, 2009 at 7:58 pm

Looks cool. But my most anticipated title remains as Fat Princess.

118

THE_TERRORIZER | January 19th, 2009 at 8:22 pm

Ill give it to them, its beautiful, but its not my style at all.
Im waiting for FEAR 2 and KZ2. Im a bad dude. I know. Im awesome.

119

stlthriot | January 19th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

I think thatgamecompany needs to make some visualizations for the PS3! A Flower visualization would be absolutely amazing! :D

120

Kronix | January 20th, 2009 at 12:05 am

Looks great. I cant wait.

121

Bilbo_bobbins | January 20th, 2009 at 2:40 am

all looking good. Might purchase this one. Nice and relaxing after a solid 5 hours on KZ2

122

Shin-Ra | January 20th, 2009 at 6:05 am

Woo, PSN Sign-in!

Euro release date should be the same if http://uk.playstation.com/games-media/games/detail/item114776/Flower/ is anything to go by. :)

123

Mana Knight | January 20th, 2009 at 6:09 am

The game definitely looks really cool. I really want to play it. Seems very relaxing and seems good to play after a hard day.

124

Beyond8D | January 20th, 2009 at 6:11 am

WOW great game.

125

Sneeches | January 20th, 2009 at 6:15 am

game looks awesome, can’t wait to give it a try :)

126

feedme | January 20th, 2009 at 6:19 am

excellent can’t wait to play this, loved flow

127

Victor1 | January 20th, 2009 at 6:31 am

k00l been wanting 2 try this out…just hope my new hard drive comes so that i can fit it

128

Gaia | January 20th, 2009 at 6:53 am

This game looks great, I will definitely be picking it up once it’s released :)

129

IceReign | January 20th, 2009 at 7:00 am

Very interesting game..

130

kandal978 | January 20th, 2009 at 7:17 am

AWESOME!!!!!!!!

131

madcrabs | January 20th, 2009 at 8:01 am

I’m excited. That video is awesome.

132

Zaku | January 20th, 2009 at 8:18 am

Game looks great and it’s nice to see unique titles like this gracing the PSN. Look forward to playing this :)

133

xenorevlis | January 20th, 2009 at 8:30 am

After trying flower last year and experiencing what felt like the mental equivalent of a full body massage – I immediately purchased flow+expansion. Prior to flower I had no real interest i flow, but they are actual GAMES with hazards and objectives and yet… they are freeform and soothing beyond most anything I’ve ever played. Good job on this and Sony, PLEASE find some way to promote your PSN games like flower and Savage Moon.

I don’t mean another artsy commercial with thins on shirts and walls (as cool as that was) because it detracts from the art and visuals of the ACTUAL GAMES. If you can someho combine the cinematic element of a commercial and then have a ton of direct-feed game footage to show all this off – I PROMISE people will take notice.

134

LUGOVES | January 20th, 2009 at 8:31 am

Love the Unique gameplay from ‘thatgamecompany’will certainly get this as soon as it’s available.

135

djtortilla | January 20th, 2009 at 8:34 am

cool, i will buy this game

136

DJ_DTM | January 20th, 2009 at 8:37 am

I’ll probably buy it AFTER I play the FREE demo.

No demo, no purchase.

137

BigBoss712 | January 20th, 2009 at 8:54 am

Loved Fl0w so I’m definitely getting this one. =)

138

ninja_55 | January 20th, 2009 at 8:59 am

Seems very rlaxing. The graphics look great. Every strand of grass moves..argh the POWER of the CELL. You also said 5.1 sound? DAMNNN this is a day 1 purchase!

139

sarshelYam | January 20th, 2009 at 9:07 am

@136

I kind of don’t think the game even needs a demo. It’s pretty clear from the lengthy trailer what we’re intended to do…similarly it’s a cinch to decide if you like the premise/presentation…coupled with the fact there’s a relatively low risk in investment. Honestly, it’s not a 60.00 game (which really does need demo attachment).

Anyhow, I’ve been waiting on this for some time. I loved Flow and this looks to expand upon it in a fully realized 3D space with an aim to relax and de-stress. The 12th can’t come soon enough.

140

OmieeZF-LIVE | January 20th, 2009 at 9:32 am

cant wait till i get this game

141

crustySox | January 20th, 2009 at 9:35 am

1080p?!?

142

TrueStoryGuy | January 20th, 2009 at 10:00 am

I’m getting a huge kick about how big the worlds are. flOw had smaller worlds (or “screens”) and I never would have expected Flower to look so big.

Nice job, guys, can’t wait to get my hands on it!

143

AlexD169 | January 20th, 2009 at 10:06 am

I can’t wait for this game

144

APaz | January 20th, 2009 at 10:07 am

I’m definitely buying this as soon it comes out.

145

Chowbacca | January 20th, 2009 at 10:08 am

This game looks innovative, can’t wait!

146

meepmoopmeep | January 20th, 2009 at 10:08 am

aw4esom!

DAY ONE buy for me!

keep bringing out these awesome unique PSN games!

147

bigbossarg | January 20th, 2009 at 10:13 am

awesome now one question:
custom soundtracks? If yes then i buy this day one :D

148

Mike_Feith | January 20th, 2009 at 10:14 am

Flower Power duuddeees. Pretty crazy how these little games here use more of the ps3 processing power than some of the top notch multi system games, not only that but they look great. Now your just showing off lol.

149