Good news, everyone!

The Art of Journey is finally up for pre-order at Bluecanvas!  The first 750 orders get copies that are signed by both Jenova Chen and Matt Nava!  Signed copies are still available, but they’ll likely run out quickly.

You can pre-order them at this link:

http://bit.ly/JourneyArtBookExclusive

Click the “Read more” link to see some pictures of the book.

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Today’s release of the Journey Collector’s Edition Blu-ray marks a very proud and exciting day for us here at thatgamecompany.

Nice design, eh? The above booklet features a nice backstory for all of our games.

From the moment a thatgamecompany anthology was first discussed, to later down the line when I was brought into the equation to work along with the team and Sony Santa Monica as we put together this amazing package of content – every one of us has anticipated the day when our great effort and care would translate into something any one of us could hold in our hands.

My colleague Asher and I made a special trip to our local game store to make our day one purchase!

Today is that day, and we couldn’t be more pleased with how our first disc title has come together. We hope the same holds true for everyone who picks up a copy of the Journey Collector’s Edition.

For any of you fortunate enough to be attending PAX Prime in Seattle, WA, this weekend, keep a lookout for me in my bright new TGC shirt (pictured below, far right)! Please be sure to come over and say hi and pick up a TGC sticker from me, too!

We had a blast racking up points in Gravediggers, one of our mini-games in the disc collection.

It’s been a great day, and we’re absolutely thrilled to keep at it so we can create even more games that will respect, entertain, and engage players in new, meaningful, and positive ways.

To cap off this post, let me leave you with the Journey Collector’s Edition Official Trailer Video:

Seeing how Journey has resonated with players across the world, we wanted to work with the Santa Monica Studio to provide a deeper look into the visual development behind this critically acclaimed hit. So, we’re excited to let everyone know that we will be presenting you with a wonderful first-time look at the extensive artwork that went into bringing Journey to life. It’s the first book directly inspired by one of our games and is titled The Art of Journey and will be available for purchase in September.

This book, designed and written by Matt Nava, art director on Journey, provides an insider’s view into the stylistic influences, narrative functions, and game design goals that shaped the final look of the game. Readers will discover how Journey’s landscapes, cut-scenes, and much-loved robed traveler came to be. For your enjoyment, The Art of Journey will come bound as an embossed hardcover book filled with gorgeous concept art, intricate pencil drawings, and 3D models printed in full color on art-quality paper.

In addition, the book has an innovative “augmented reality” feature powered by the Daqri 4D platform. By downloading a free companion app, readers will be able to point their smartphone or tablet’s camera at special images and see animated 3D models appear straight from the game. It’s a truly unique and innovative way to more fully experience the artwork of Journey.

We are especially proud to include a tribute in the book to the game’s players. Journey’s touching experience and memorable visuals have inspired many players to create their own artwork. Matt has collected some of the team’s favorites in a special fan art section which I hope will speak to those of you who have been moved by the Journey experience.

The Art of Journey will be accompanied by a voucher that will allow readers to download a free copy of the game’s soundtrack to their PS3.

Please continue to stay tuned for updates and sneak peeks for The Art of Journey. In the meantime, don’t forget to check out the Journey Collector’s Edition, which will be available on store shelves this coming Tuesday, August 28.

Journey, a project very dear to our hearts, represents thatgamecompany’s efforts to deliver a unique emotional experience to players online. As such, in conjunction with Santa Monica Studio, it is an honor to announce the Journey Collector’s Edition, launching for the PlayStation 3. This is our first disc-based release, and will be available at retail outlets across North America for $29.99 on August 28.

From the simplicity of flOw, to the poetry of Flower, to the awe of Journey, this special Blu-ray bundle features thatgamecompany’s three award-winning PlayStation Network-exclusive titles, paired with exclusive new content and previously released digital content.

The complete set of bonus flOw, Flower, and Journey content includes:

+30-minute behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of Journey
+Creator Commentary play-throughs of all three games
+Three exclusive mini-games from thatgamecompany
+Concept art and screenshot galleries for all three games
+Original soundtracks for all three games
+PS3 dynamic themes and wallpapers
+PSN avatars including 8 exclusive new Journey avatars never released before
+Official game trailers and developer diary videos
+Reversible cover art
+One month trial subscription of PlayStation Plus

We are particularly excited about the Creator Commentary play-throughs of all three games, because we get to share with players insights about flOw, Flower, and Journey straight from the minds of the designers, artists, engineers and composers who worked together to make these games so special.

Another great feature included on the disc are the three exclusive mini-games born out of a thatgamecompany tradition: the 24hr Game Jam. As the name implies, each game was created by us, start to finish, in 24 hours. So for the first time ever, thatgamecompany’s mini-games, Gravediggers, Duke War!!, and Nostril Shot, will be available to play outside of our studio.

We share these mini-games as a “thank you” to our players for supporting us over the years. In case the names didn’t already give it away, these mini-games showcase thatgamecompany’s lighter side with madcap competitive multiplayer action. We hope you sincerely enjoy their silliness as much as we have.

In the meantime, please check out the official trailer for thatgamecompany’s first Blu-ray disc release, hitting stores on August 28 and currently available for pre-order on Amazon and GameStop.

So, yeah! This week only,  flOw and Flower are both on sale for 30% off for everyone in North America, and 50% off for PS+ subscribers in North America.  The sale also includes most of the other content related to flOw and Flower, such as the flOw expansion pack, Flower avatars, and a dynamic theme.

Also, we made a Journey demo!  It’s short and doesn’t have multiplayer, so you’ll have to buy the whole game in order to experience multiplayer.  Still, you can surf around in the happy sand land for as long as you want, or until you do want to buy the full game.

Check out the prices of everything after the break.

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