Indie games received some nice coverage last Friday courtesy of a New York Times article that discusses how indie game developers have managed to make a mainstream splash.
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Sep 24, 2009

PlayStation 3 Motion Controller Confirmed for Spring 2010, Software Line-up Revealed

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - PlayStation 3 Motion Controller Confirmed for Spring 2010, Software Line-up Revealed

Sony Computer Entertainment announced a number of titles set to launch exclusively for the Motion Controller in 2010 at the Tokyo Game Show today, Along with a number of existing titles which will see an update to include Motion Controller compatibility. The full list of titles revealed is as follows:
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Jul 15, 2009

'Games need more grown-up content'

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - 'Games need more grown-up content'

In a wide ranging talk at the Develop Conference today that looked at the founding of his company and the making of its games flOw and Flower, thatgamecompany's Jenova Chen devoted some time to rant about a topic close to his heart.

Namely, that games just aren't trying hard enough to emotionally engage with players and that their content aren't mature enough.

Thatgamecompany's PlayStation Network games have been widely praised for their short, subtle and emotive content.

Despite being a gamer all his life - and a games development student no less - Chen said that the content of these games came about from his eventual dissatisfaction with mainstream games.

"I never see that sense of thrill any more in today's games," he said.
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Jun 16, 2009

Follow up to Flower will be 'larger', 'more challenging'

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - Follow up to Flower will be 'larger', 'more challenging'

Nick @ PS3Center writes:

Flower floored the gaming community earlier this year, taking gamers on an emotional ride that few games ever do. So what's next for ThatGameCompany, the Santa Monica-based studio behind the innovative PSN title? The developer's creative designer, the 27 year old Jenova Chen, recently dropped some hints to what their next game just may be.
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May 15, 2009

Interview With thatgamecompany

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - Interview With thatgamecompany

PlayStation LifeStyle writes:
"In an exclusive interview, PlayStation LifeStyle goes one-on-one with thatgamecompany's John Edwards, lead programmer for the hit titles Flower and flOw."
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May 1, 2009

ThatGameCompany's Jenova Chen teases new game

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - ThatGameCompany's Jenova Chen teases new game

The third of ThatGameCompany's contractual PS3's developments is clearly in the very early stages of development, as Jenova Chen teases the first playtest of their new title.

ThatGameCompany have created flOw and Flower thus far, both being received very well.

We may hear more at E3, but it's clearly very early.
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Apr 20, 2009

Jenova Chen Confirms flower Soundtrack Coming Soon

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - Jenova Chen Confirms flower Soundtrack Coming Soon

Jenova Chen, Creative Director at thatgamecompany, has confirmed via Twitter that not only is the flower soundtrack rumour true but it is scheduled for release on iTunes and PSN 'soon'.
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Apr 16, 2009

PSN: The Road To NPD - PlayStation Network Sales For March 2009

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - PSN: The Road To NPD - PlayStation Network Sales For March 2009

Gamerbytes: With the March NPD U.S. game sales numbers coming out at the end of the week, I thought it would be interesting to look back at the last month of sales for downloadable spaces -- as best as we can, with the data we can get.

For the PlayStation Network, we delve into the Top 10 PSN games of the month, brought to use courtesy of the Pulse video show released online, and through the PlayStation Store -- which releases a new list every month.
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Mar 27, 2009

Things The 'Flower' Team Ditched

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - Things The 'Flower' Team Ditched

During the Experimental Gameplay Sessions yesterday, developer Jenova Chen revealed several features that his team tried and then removed from the PS3 downloadable game "Flower."

They removed:

* Timers, which they thought might help motivate the player
* Desert terrain, which would cost any players who flew over it some petals
* Spells, which were part of a system that allowed the player to gain improved flight abilities
* Orbs, into which players were going to deposit petals in order to unlock checkpoints
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Mar 16, 2009

PS3 Flower's grass impossible on other systems

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - PS3 Flower's grass impossible on other systems

GameZine:

"ThatGameCompany describes their dependence on the PlayStation 3's SPU processors in rendering Flower's multitude of grass blades.

I was incredibly impressed by the graphics of ThatGameCompany's Flower when I reviewed the game in February. Rendering at full 1080p and 60 frames-per-second, there are thousands of grass blades that all interact with you (the wind) during gameplay."
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Mar 13, 2009

Flower is top downloaded PSN game in February

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - Flower is top downloaded PSN game in February

The PSN-exclusives Flower and Noby Noby Boy both take the top spots in February. These innovative games take gaming in new directions, and we're glad to see gamers have embraced them.

1. Flower
2. Noby Noby Boy
3. Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
4. 3 on 3 NHL Arcade
5. Savage Moon
6. Mortal Kombat II
7. Bejeweled 2
8. Burnout Paradise
9. Linger in Shadows
10. Magic Ball
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Mar 13, 2009

Fans Remember Flower - with Video

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - Fans Remember Flower - with Video

Randall Lowe // Associate Producer, PSN: "Hi everyone, Randall Lowe here, associate producer on Flower.

I wanted to introduce you to a great trailer entitled "Remember" that was put together by The Duo Group, with the sound put together by Hybrid Two. Right after Flower came out last month, Kellee from thatgamecompany came to us and showed us this trailer, asking if we could distribute it on the blog and PSN. After seeing what an amazing job The Duo Group did putting the trailer together, our answer seemed pretty obvious.

The trailer captures so many feelings that the game conveys, it just seemed like a perfect fit. What's even equally amazing is that all of this with nothing but idle screens, which is what are shown when you leave the game sitting for a short bit. After a little work on the back end, we were able to get the trailer ready and approved for distribution today via the PSN. So, without further adieu, please sit back, enjoy, and remember."
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Feb 26, 2009

Downloadable flower Soundtrack May Be On Its Way

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - Downloadable flower Soundtrack May Be On Its Way

PushSquare: "We at PushSquare love flower. You may have noticed from our review. One of the main things we loved about flower was its soundtrack. Without getting all pretentious, we did actually say (and we quote): "We're holding out for a soundtrack announcement (please)."

Imagine our delight when we read over at GameSetWatch that flower composer Vincent Diamante is in "talks with Sony" regarding the release of flower's music."
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Feb 20, 2009

Industry is entering "era for independence," says Chen

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - Industry is entering "era for independence," says Chen

GI.Biz writes: "The videogames industry is entering a new phase of its life cycle, which will usher in a new generation of game creators, as the tools to create content become cheaper.

That's according to the creative mind behind critically-acclaimed PlayStation 3 title Flower, Jenova Chen, who believes we're starting in an 'era for independence.'"
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Feb 18, 2009

One-Liner: 'Flower' Creator Believes Gaming's Renaissance Is Happening Right Now

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - One-Liner: 'Flower' Creator Believes Gaming's Renaissance Is Happening Right Now

MTV:

""I feel it's a time where a lot of people who study games start to graduate and come into this field. It's a really good time for all these people to really push the boundaries of what games can be. With digital distribution - PSN, Xbox Live, WiiWare, Steam - all those [avenues]…Before, everything sold through retail. You can't even make a game that's below a million dollar budget. I think right now - in the future, when people look back, I think it's the renaissance of video games."

– thatgamecompany co-founder and "Flower" mastermind Jenova Chen in response to a question about the affect of digital distribution on games"
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Feb 16, 2009

Trophy Guide: Flower

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

Flower is the second PS3 title developed by LA-based ThatGameCompany, their first being flOw. The game is unique in both design and concept. Gone are the traditional paradigms of using analog sticks and face buttons, Flower is controlled almost entirely by use of the SIXAXIS. One traditionally wouldn't think that a game in which you control a flower petal in the wind would make a great game, but the folks at ThatGameCompany have pulled it off.

The Trophies are also unique, as you could easily go the whole game without getting a single one. The Trophies for Flower encourage exploration and relaxation.
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Feb 9, 2009

Flower Out On PSN This Week, Go Behind The Scenes Now

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - Flower Out On PSN This Week, Go Behind The Scenes Now

Playstation.Blog writes: "Hello PlayStation blogees! We here at thatgamecompany are so stoked that this week "Flower" will be out of our hands and into yours. A lot of people ask us what it's been like to work with Sony, so you may have heard us answer this before - working with Sony is a treat. They truly support their developers and their games from start to finish.

I wanted to mention this as a way to introduce to you this developer diary, where SCEA's Eric Koch and I talk about the ideas behind Flower, and show you how the gameplay works. We hope you enjoy it!"
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Feb 5, 2009

'Flower' Should Make You Feel Better About Yourself, Argues Creator

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

PS3 - Flower - 'Flower' Should Make You Feel Better About Yourself, Argues Creator

Thatgamecompany co-founder Jenova Chen is intensely passionate about his upcoming PlayStation Network release "Flower" and the impression he hopes it leaves on the people who interact with it, even going so far as to say "Flower" should inspire them to feel better about themselves.
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Feb 2, 2009

Flower Trophy List

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

Here's the breakdown...

1 Gold
2 Silver
11 Bronze

Some spoilers in the trophy descriptions...
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Feb 2, 2009

Flower Priced for Europe

PS3 News from N4G | Flower

Quote from site:

"Sony have revealed that PSN game Flower will cost just £6.29 when released next Thursday 12th February.

In the US, the game will actually hit the store for $9.99, so it seems that we are actually getting a bit of a bargain.

Flower, which is developed by makers of Flow, thatgamecompany has players restore vibrant colours to the dreary dream-worlds of city flowers. To do this, petals must be steered around on the wind and clattered into other flowers, sending up more petals to join the cause."
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