Introducing thatgamecompany’s Journey

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We are really excited to officially announce our current thatgamecompany project, Journey.

Journey - Bridges

The inspiration for Journey came from Jenova Chen’s feeling that in the modern world where man has so much power, we have lost an integral aspect of the human experience – awe towards the unknown. And we can see this in our video games as well. But don’t take it from me! Here’s Jenova to talk about it more:

In today’s society, man is powerful – We can travel at 60 mph; we can fly; we can connect with just about anyone, anywhere, at anytime. But on the street, people pass by each other ignoring the wonderful existence of other beings. We are overwhelmed by the attention needed to gain and execute our own power – just like we are in most video games. While we are doing that, we can become isolated and insecure deep inside our mind.

On the contrary, when we are hiking in the wild, we become tiny and weak again. These feelings make every other person we encounter much more important and enjoyable. We greet them, giving them genuine and useful help. We might travel together for a period, learn from and rely on each other. Struggling against the dangerous nature together, somehow, makes us warm and powerful inside. (This doesn’t make any rational sense, but somehow that’s how I feel. And I’m sure many of us do.) While most video games offer the sense of empowerment in the online gaming experience, we felt the player will pay more attention to the other players if they are less distracted by the power, and the online gaming experience will be quite unique if it carries the feeling of awe towards the unknown.

In a world where the majority of the players are distracted by technology, evoking a sense of awe and mystery could be very refreshing and powerful.


To realize these goals, we aimed to create a world that feels vast and somewhat unfamiliar. And so the game begins with a character waking up in a desert, with no clues as to what might have happened before or what will happen later. There’s only a tall mountain in the distance, beckoning the player to set out and explore.

Journey - Desert Journey - Motion

As you travel through the world, you may encounter a stranger who is on his or her own journey. But we don’t want to talk too much about the online experience right now. In part, because we really don’t want to inform your own experience of it; also, because we really enjoy seeing what happens when experiences come without explanation. But there’s plenty of time left for us to talk about it in the future…

Journey - Waterfall

One thing is for certain: we love getting to talk about a new project! It means that we can’t just navel-gaze about our own work anymore. It’s out there. You’re responding to it! And it also means we’re that much closer to getting the game into your hands. So we’d like to extend a HUGE thanks to everyone who has already expressed words of encouragement – they really do help!

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133 Comments

7 Author Replies

  • Looks very innovative. Another fine PS3 exclusive

  • Sold. Now I’m going to find out what I’m buying.

  • So will there really be things to do, or just endless exploring?

    In all honesty this seems to have a similar feeling as shadow of colossus did, even though you had the giant enemies to destroy, it was the world that made you feel so small… So few games get this right… Demon’s Souls did it and Shadow of Colossus did it, its really something only truly amazing and very original developers have accomplished. And there are so few these days it seems :/

  • Wow. I’m glad to see that some people put this much depth into their games. Can’t wait to play this one.

  • Will there be character creating or at least the option choose between male/female? I’m also wondering if this is again is controlled only with sixaxis or normal controls…? The concept sounds neat enough at the very least. Hopefully you can get it into our hands by the end of the year!

  • When I first started reading about this, and the idea about wandering in the desert and bumping into other people, I immediately thought: “This idea sounds great! It would be amazing, if it was online players instead of NPC’s”. And hey, look what you did!

    thatgamecompany, I say this now, and I will probably say it again… You are an inspiration.
    Furthermore, you have brought abstraction and art to an industry, that seemed caught up in fast cars and explosions, only years ago. This is amazing, and will surely blow my mind.

    Thank you, thatgamecompany.

  • Very good to see you guys making a new game, flower was amazing and you guys certainly know how to make games with a powerful emotional message :D

  • Also… Take your time! Even though I know you won’t release it until it’s done :-]

  • Just that last pic has my interest piqued. I’m also quite pleased hearing my very philosophy being put into action: sometimes it’s better not to understand; sometimes it’s better to leave things unsaid; sometimes it’s better to things unexplained.

    Count on my purchase. =) (That’s actually quite a compliment, coming from me, all humility aside.)

  • Ahhh..Finally! I’ve been waiting to hear something about your next game. Flower blew my socks off and this looks fantastic and I really love hearing about the philosophy behind the design. I can’t wait to plunk down my coin for this next experience.

  • Another unique and innovative experience from you guys. I’m there when ever it’s released.

  • sounds like a good game, and innovative, i like the thought behind it but would like a little more detail. not necessarily about the on-line but the style of the game, is it platformer, action adventure or both ?

    • Ah… you know us – it’s a bit hard to categorize. But I’d put it in the realm of adventure.

  • will this, flower, and flow ever get move support? and if so when could we expect to see the moveupdate for the games already out? also will the game cloud ever come to psn? (for free or for cheap if possible)

    finally (most important for me) Will flower ever get a sequel or level DLC like flow did?

    • There are no plans for DLC for Flower right now, but I can’t say “never” to anything you asked, because who knows when and where inspiration strikes.

  • Do you guys want my money now or when the game comes out?

    Can’t wait looks really great:D

  • When I first saw the screenshots for this I wanted to explore the world you’re creating.

    I always thought Flower was too limited and that it could have become even better if you had created a fully open world.

    Thanks for making E3 interesting. Shame that Sony didn’t show this during their press conference as I feel this has a stronger concept than anything else they showed.

  • TGC is making this??? SOLD!!! 8)

  • With the little info you’ve provided for Journey and my love for your previous games, I can safely say that this is now my most anticipated game. Keep up the great work.

  • If it is as good as Flower Im getting this day one.

  • This company can do no wrong

  • its honestly games that like this that define what the playstation really is, the fact that no other company would take risks on games like this and flower, or allow PD to take 10 years to make a game. its sonys chillax attitude towards gaming that makes me a firm believer in the brand.

    with that said, i will be there day one on this. keep up the inspiring work ThatGameCompany.

  • you guys already got my money :)

  • i didn’t buy flower on day one…i buyed flOw after flower…this time, day one buy for this, flOw and flower are unique experiences, and i don’t think this one will be diferent, it will also be a unique experience, so…release date??

  • Cloud is awesome too!!

  • <3 I love you guys, this game sounds amazing. I really can't wait for this game!

  • The world needs more game developers like Jenova Chen.

  • Oh my god, that looks and sounds fantastic! Seems like a very interesting and mysterious world to explore.

  • thatgamecompany is one of the best developers out there. I can’t wait to see what they come up with. Flower is a brilliant game. Please keep creating games like this.

  • Day one buy, love the inspiration behind it. ThatGameCompany is full of fantastic talent can’t wait to play their next awesome game.

  • Looks interesting, hopefully the aliasing and banding artifacts get cleaned up before release. I notice the screenshots are only 720p; will this not be in 1080p? :(

    Any word on who is doing the music? Can we look forward to HD audio?

    Loved flOw, and loved Flower. Can’t wait to see more about this one!

  • Very well said. I just cant wait for this game now! I love the experiences that you guys at thatgamecompany bring us. Like other titles you released be sure that you will have my money.
    That’s one of the reasons i like about playstation, they are always innovative and try to bring new things.

    Is there a timeframe for the release?

  • Sounds amazing.

  • Wow this looks really cool! I loved Flower, and once again you have me hooked!

  • Totally looking forward to this.

  • This is looking beautiful. you guys have my support! btw on your next post please include the day of release so i can ready my wallet for this…Journey…

  • Looks amazing. I want to see it in action!

  • It looks beautiful just like Flower. Will be keeping a eye on it for sure. It kinda reminds me of Shadow of the Colossus.

  • Looks kinda boring, I don’t get the point of it. Not enough scenary. Lets wait for a demo first…

  • Flower is still one of my favorite games this generation. I cannot wait!

  • TheInfectedBy590

    I loved flOw and Flower, looking forward to this one as well!!! :)

  • I love exploring in games, this sounds right up my alley. I always get annoyed when I try just wandering around in an RPG only to run into a bunch of random fights.

    The vague description of the online reminds me of Demon’s Souls, but without the monsters… which could be really fantastic. My friends and I all loved flow and Flower, so I’m really excited about Journey. Good luck!

  • It’s very majestic looking. the character looks agile dispite the cloke. Makes me wonder what the place has instore for you. Will there be combat or just exploration? Bandits trying to rob you in the desert? Will the people you mean try to help or hurt you? There are certain games you play and you just wonder if you can get to the places you see, This looks like the type of game where the answer may be “yes” and I look foward to seeing what you guys have in store.

  • Epic, imaginative, and astounding! Good job ThatGameCompany! It looks beautiful and awe-inspiring and very interesting! This may well be your Zelda, your Shadow of the Colossus and so much more.
    I know it goes against the very nature of the game, but is there an offline mode? I’ve already read people saying there is.

    Can two people journey together on one PS3 (online/offline whichever)? Perhaps via splitscreen?

    Thanks for the preview!

    • No local multiplayer, but you will have the ability to play “offline” if you like. Players can choose to play by themselves or with others, and they will have the freedom to change their mind in the middle of a play session.

  • The emotions that come out of the games you create is pretty amazing.
    I can’t wait to see how you are going to integrate online play with this one!
    The art looks great!

    sending some love :-)

  • I agree with #2. I saw thatgamecompany was making it and was sold, haven’t read the article yet.

  • The sounds like a compelling, engaging experience. I can’t wait, day one buy for me. A small request to the thatgamecompany about this title though. Please launch dynamic themes, avatars, soundtrack on launch or very soon thereafter lol And please consider PS Home unlockables.

  • I bought both Flower and Fl0w and the Fl0w expansion I can’t wait for this new experience it should be incredible.

  • Another one to open up my wallet for. YES!

  • ThatGameCompany rocks. This is a blind day 1 purchase.

  • anything thatgamecompany makes I will buy, simple as that

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