Jenova Chen

Jenova Chen is a visionary Chinese-American video game designer and co-founder of Thatgamecompany, renowned for pioneering emotionally resonant and artistically innovative games. Born in Shanghai in 1981, Chen pursued a bachelor's degree in computer science with a minor in digital art and design at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He later earned a master's degree from the University of Southern California's Interactive Media Division, where he developed his first games, Cloud and Flow. In 2006, alongside Kellee Santiago, he co-founded Thatgamecompany, aiming to create games that evoke deep emotional responses and challenge traditional gaming norms. Game Developer+7Quotes Guide+7+7+15+15+15

Chen's notable works include Flower, Journey, and Sky: Children of the Light. Flower offers a serene experience where players control a petal floating through various environments, aiming to evoke feelings of peace and harmony. Journey is an online multiplayer game that emphasizes emotional connection over competition, allowing players to explore a vast desert landscape together without direct communication. Sky continues this theme, focusing on cooperation and altruism in a shared online world. WIRED+22+22+22

Throughout his career, Chen has emphasized the importance of creating games that resonate emotionally with players. He believes that video games should be a medium for personal expression and emotional exploration. In his words, "Each game we make, we like to introduce an emotion that is rarely experienced by gamers in the console game industry." His work continues to inspire a new generation of game developers to prioritize emotional depth and artistic integrity in their creations.Quotes Study+1BrainyQuote+1