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Journey (2012 video game)

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Not to be confused with Journey (1983 video game) or Journey (1989 video game).
Journey
File:Journey logo lowres.jpg
Developer(s)Thatgamecompany
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
Director(s)Jenova Chen
Producer(s)Robin Hunicke
Designer(s)Nicholas Clark
Bryan Singh
Composer(s)Austin Wintory
Engine
Platform(s)PlayStation 3 (PSN)
ReleaseTBA 2011
Genre(s)Adventure
Mode(s)Single-player, Co-op

Journey is an upcoming video game developed by Thatgamecompany for the PlayStation 3 and which will be distributed on the PlayStation Network. The game will feature the player as a robed figure in a vast desert, journeying towards a mountain in the distance. Along the way the player can meet other players on the same journey; the two players can assist each other, but cannot communicate via speech or text and are not shown each others' name. The game is expected to be released in 2011.

Gameplay

A red-robed figure stands in an orange sanddrift, under an orange, cloudy sky. A mountain is in the distance, glowing due to the sun behind it.
The robed figure in the desert, with the mountain goal in the distance.

In Journey, the player takes the role of a robed figure in a desert. The game features no map or instructions, only a large mountain in the distance that the player journeys toward.[1] While traveling the player can encounter other players, one at a time, if they are playing online. Players cannot speak to each other, but can help each other in their journey or not as they wish.[2] Players met online will not be identified with a gamertag or username, and voice or text communication will not be possible with the other player. According to designer Jenova Chen, "it's about two strangers who meet online. They don't know who they are or how old they are. All they know is, that is another human being."[3] The only way players can communicate audibly with each other is with a wordless shout.[1] Players will have symbols on the front of their robes for identification, so that the player can tell whether they have met that traveler before or not.[4]

While traveling through the desert, players can come across pieces of cloth that can be collected and used to fly for brief periods. The game world also includes magical objects and ruins, though Thatgamecompany has not explained what purpose they serve.[1] Hidden areas will contain tapestries and other clues as to the events leading up to the game, the story of which has not yet been announced.[4]

Development

Development of Journey began in 2009, after the release of Flower. The development team for the game is composed of mainly of the creators of Thatgamecompany's previous titles, including Jenova Chen as the creative director and Austin Wintory, the composer for Flow. This team does not include Kellee Santiago, Thatgamecompany's previous game producer, who, in order to concentrate on her role as the company's president, was replaced as a producer by Robin Hunicke.[5] The basic idea for the game, as designed by Chen, was to create a game that moved beyond the "typical defeat/kill/win mentality" of most video games.[1] The team initially created a prototype named Dragon that involved players trying to draw away a large monster from each other, but eventually discarded it after finding that it was too easy for players to ignore the other people in favor of their own objectives.[1] The game is intended to make the player feel "small" and to give them a sense of awe about their surroundings. The co-op aspect of the game is intended to allow the players to feel a connection to other people through exploring with them, rather than talking to them or fighting them.[6] Journey is intended to be released in Fall of 2011.[7]

Reception

GameTrailers and 1UP.com called Journey the Best Download Game at the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Gera, Emily (2011-02-11). "Journey Hands-on Preview". VideoGamer.com. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  2. ^ Young, Nora (2010-12-22). "Full Interview: Kellee Santiago". CBC Radio One. Retrieved 2011-02-04.
  3. ^ Plante, Chris (2010-12-13). "Journey: How It's An Online Game That Need Not Be Played Online". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
  4. ^ a b Cocker, Guy (2011-02-02). "Journey Co-Op Impressions". GameSpot. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  5. ^ Sheffield, Brandon (2009-07-01). "Interview: Kellee Santiago Talks Thatgamecompany's Road Ahead". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 2010-05-09. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  6. ^ VanOrd, Kevin (2010-06-18). "Journey Impressions". GameSpot. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  7. ^ "E3 2011: Themes & Goals Interview HD". GameTrailers. 2011-06-03. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
  8. ^ "Best of E3 2011 Awards, Best Downloadable Game". Retrieved 2011-06-17. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "1UP's Best Games of E3 2011". 1UP.com. p. 2. Retrieved 2011-06-12. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
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