Indie studio thatgamecompany, which made its name with unique interactive experiences, has raised $5.5 million from Benchmark Capital.
So far thatgamecompany has made three games as part of a partnership with Sony Computer Entertainment America’s Santa Monica Studio: flOw, Journey (pictured) and Flower. These aren’t games in the traditional sense, though. Instead they’re emotionally evocative artworks that don’t use scoring or other typical elements.
The company will use the funding to develop and release its games independently and on platforms other than the PlayStation Network, according to co-founder and creative director Jenova Chen.
“We are extremely grateful to Sony and the many players who put their faith in us. Their support has turned Journey into the fastest selling title in PSN history,” he added.
Related links:
Thatgamecompany – blog post
Thatgamecompany – official site
VentureBeat – Indie studio Thatgamecompany raises $5.5M to create magical games for wider audiences
Wired – Free From Sony Deal, Journey Creator Seeks Pixar-Sized Audience
Los Angeles Times – Thatgamecompany raises $5.5 million from Benchmark Capital
