Ben-DutkaJourney is absolutely our most anticipated Network title of the year, and that's because games like Flow and Flower impressed the hell out of us.
And if you're the least bit intrigued by thatgamecompany's new project, you really need to check out a new PlayStation Blog interview with Jenova Chen. Just about every last response to a question is intriguing; it seems to come from someone who's a cross between a game developer and an artist…or maybe even a philosopher. Here's his reply to the question, "would you say it redefines multiplayer?"
"We’re not really redefining. We make games for PS3 owners, but we also make games for their relatives or children. I don’t think your grandma is going to know what a [multiplayer] “lobby” means. I don’t think most children will understand what [internet] “latency” means. So after we eliminated the lobby concept, we had very few choices — other players have to be able to connect at any time, not just the beginning of the game, and a player has to be able to finish the game by himself he can’t find someone. All these technical issues came in with that one decision to get rid of the online lobby.
We didn’t try to redefine multiplayer, we just wanted to create a more intuitive experience. If your grandma asked, 'what’s Journey?' I’d tell her 'Journey is just like hiking. You go to hike a mountain, and there are other hikers you might meet and if you like them you can hike with them.' And that’s it."
He also spoke more about the gameplay, and we consider it an awesome addition to the information we already had . Drink it all in, because he's explaining exactly how we'll travel in this unique interactive adventure; "surfing on waves of sand" is just a supremely cool way of moving about. So make sure to read up on all the new details concerning control, goals, obstacles, and artistic inspiration. Then, when they hinted at Chen's enjoyment of shooters, he also added that he likes fighting games, but he also clarified: "…as I get older, what's the point in pulling off another infinite combo? What does that do for your life? It's not useful. People still play chess because strategic thinking is useful." In regards to other designers Chen believes might be pushing the envelope:
"Quantic Dream. Team Ico — everything they make is very rich and deep emotionally. I think LittleBigPlanet is also very interesting. It’s not so much emotional as it is a different frontier. I also really appreciate whoever makes the best first-person shooter. Blizzard is always great, they have a lot of craft. We need those things too, because the game industry has to cover all sides. It’s not that I’m against fighting games or shooters — they need to be there, and they need to be good."
…don't ever let this guy stop making games.
Related Game(s): Journey
The man sounds brilliant, and also very simple. I bet he has a prescription for lots of xanax to stay in that mindset. I'm definitely interested in this game, art, hiking thing.
I really enjoyed reading what Chen had to say. He sounds like a very intelligent and open kinda guy. He knows what is good and what gamers enjoy.
I believe he was completely right about players being more attached to emotional games than high scores. Sure, high scores and online leaderboards are a pretty addictive feature for some, but as players get older (like myself) we seem to be drawn more to innovation, art and emotionally engaging games.
With this being the case, I believe Journey will be a day one purchase for me. I loved Heavy Rain, it drew me into its world like no other game has in a long time, in fact, since the first time I played Shadow of the Colossus. It made me want to explore every inch of the world, not because I had to or to improve a score or collection number, but because I was genuinely interested in seeing what was there.
Along with FF X and XII, Colossus and Heavy Rain, does anyone have any other suggestions for games that engaged them like no other? Preferably something below 40 hours, so no massive RPG's, I know how many out there love Tales, Star Ocean, White Knight, etc. 😉
Get the game that made Heavy Rain possible if you have an xbox or PS2 (or backwards compatibility) "Indigo Prophecy" or "Fahrenheit" depending on where you live.
Got Fahrenheit about 3 years ago, World. Great game. Sure, the graphics are a little dated now, but it was such an engaging and clever game. Good call.
Bioshock fan? That game wouldn't let me go, and the twist at the end really gets your blood boiling.
I love his artful "less is more" attitude with this game
Journey is a game I'm really interested and could be the only game I get off of the PSN all year and I haven't even played flow or flower.
Nice words Ben, "don't ever let this guy stop making games"(!!!, or else).
Chen is awesome.
Last edited by StangMan80 on 1/11/2011 10:20:25 PM
I put this guy in the same breath as the guys who made Demon's Souls, ICO, and MGS.
They go beyond "just a game." They touch your soul and the reality of it all with their games.
I think Jenova Chen and Hideo Kojima need to meet someday.
I first saw this game last year in the middle of another "dune" phase of mine, (Frank Herbert) I am even more excited now! There is something about the unforgivable harshness of the desert that draws an ancient emotion inside of me, and sharing this experience over PSN will be AMAZING!
Journey is honestly sounding more and more amazing every time I hear about it. To think… thatgamecompany has only six members, and they're managing to come up with something like this. I suppose the small team allows a greater creative effort.
And Chen sounds chill as. I'm kind of sad to see the three game deal with Sony coming to an end, but let's hope that a new one is struck up, or perhaps they Sony WWS integrates tgc into its body, and allow this team to create a retail game using their methodology.
The thing is, Journey sounds so simple, and at the same time, so unique. I can barely think coherently about this game. It's going to be the next step in the 'Games are Art' movement.
Peace
saw a trailer of this today, dunno looks kinda cool but kinda boring at the same time.
thatgamecompany are the most innovative developers out there right now for the PSN. I'm glad they're still staying exclusive with Sony. I expect this to my runner-up GotY only behind The Last Guardian.