Thatgamecompany raises $5.5m, goes multiplatform

The developer behind cult digital PS3 titles Flow, Flower and Journey is going multiplatform.

Thatgamecompany has revealed that it has successfully raised $5.5m from Benchmark Capital, Venturebeat reports. And it wants to use the cash to make games for more platforms to reach larger audiences” according to founder and creative director Jenova Chen.

The studio’s most recent release, Journey, was released earlier this year and has since gone on to become the most downloaded title on PSN.

We got so many emails from fans saying they wished they could play our games on other platforms,” Chen stated.

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.”

Chen also confirmed that a new title is already in the works, and that he relishes the idea not only of creative freedom but also having control over marketing, presentation and various other aspects of getting a game to market.

Benchmark Capital’s Mitch Lasky added: Jenova has a chance to be the John Lasseter (head of Pixar) of the video games business. I feel privileged to be riding shotgun with him. The ambitions for Thatgamecompany are very exciting to me.

We are at a point in the video game industry that the industry is hollowed out. It is out of touch with the zeitgeist, creating sequels and formulaic games over and over again. The energy comes from the indies.

We are at a confluence of financial interest, the ability to self publish, and the broadening of consumer tastes that favours the indie movement. We have a democratization of publishing, the world has changed, and the audiences like the authenticity and authorship of 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.”