Thatgamecompany is to become an independent, multiplatform studio after raising $5.5 million in funding.
The Flower and Journey developer attracted the investment from Benchmark Capital and the deal will see the venture capital firm's general partner Mitch Lasky join thatgamecompany's board of directors.
"The intent of the investment is to provide the resources for thatgamecompany to remain independent, so they can innovate with complete autonomy from the pressures of platforms and publishers," Lasky explains.
"I am really excited about getting to work with Jenova and his team to help build thatgamecompany into a global entertainment company."
It's unlikely that the studio's back catalogue will find its way to other consoles given Sony's investment - especially as Journey has become the most-downloaded game on PSN - but there is plenty of opportunity for the studio to reach a wider audience with its future games.
"We got so many emails from fans saying they wished they could play our games on other platforms,” says thatgamecompany creative director Jenova Chen.
“We make games for human beings, not just gamers. Young, old, men, women, and from all countries. We want to change the concept of what a game is and show society what a game can be.”
The studio completed its three game "incubation" deal with Sony Santa Monica when it released Journey in March - the recently founded Giant Sparrow, currently working on The Unfinished Swan - is now following in thatgamecompany's footsteps with a similar deal.
“We are at a point in the video game industry that the industry is hollowed out," continues Lasky. "It is out of touch with the zeitgeist, creating sequels and formulaic games over and over again. The energy comes from the indies.
“It’s a great time for Jenova to be completely unfettered when it comes to innovation. He is ready to spread his wings now.”
Source: VentureBeat
Comments
2Journey is not the most downloaded game on PSN, it's the most downloaded game in the shortest amount of time, meaning the first week it launched. You have to carefully read those strategically worded press releases/hype-filled announcements. Many other titles have outsold Journey on PSN by a long shot. Someone should also dare to ask TGC if they are profitable. Go ahead, I dare you.