The best of thatgamecompany in one retail package for the PlayStation 3.
Flow. Flower. Journey. It’s so crazy how such a championed developer, the Los Angeles-based thatgamecompany, only has three games under its collective belt, but honestly, that speaks to how well-crafted and impactful their output has been since two University of Southern California-alumni, Kellee Santiago and Jenova Chen, founded the studio back in 2006.
Each aforementioned title, while wildly different in presentation, and boy do they ever shine in that category, shares one common thread that’s been the focus of thatgamecompany: provoking emotional responses from its players. This very nature is something that isn’t pinned on at the last-minute either, the team’s design philosophy at the start of game’s development centers on what they want the user to feel, rather than gameplay mechanics.
That developer insight might surely chase off the typical high-score competitive junky or Mister Shooty-McEverything, but for those of us who seek the allure of what the medium of videogames can achieve at their creative heights that no other form of entertainment can replicate, it’s absolutely perfect. Which, is the same word you could use to describe the Journey Collector’s Edition for the PlayStation 3.
This is one mighty awesome deal folks. Arriving August 28 to retailers, Flow, Flower, and Journey are coming together on one Blu-ray for the low-low price of $29.99 USD. The collection will also come packed with a good assortment of extras, such as:
- 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 of PlayStation Plus
…did I mention that this is one mighty awesome deal?
About those mini-games included in the Collector’s Edition – Gravediggers, Duke War!!, and Nostril Shot – these games are of special note, not because they’ve never been played outside the offices of thatgamecompany, but as a result of being made in the span of 24-hours as an internal competition between staff members. It really shows a laid-back side of the studio beyond the pretentious impressions their officially-released titles might give off.
What a fantastic collector’s edition, don’t you agree? (This is the part where you nod yes. Thanks!) As soon as this one shows up for pre-order, I am so there. I’m also so there for pizza in the shape of Star Wars’ Yoda – it tastes so good I bet! And some yummy millennium falcon cake as dessert, then have. Hmmmmmm.
