FlOw dev discusses blossoming new project

by Ross Miller { Nov 29th 2007 at 11:20AM }

If the Tokyo Game Show trailer was any indication, flOw developer Thatgamecompany is not shying away from abstract projects. Speaking at the Montreal International Games Summit (via Gamasutra), TGC President Kellee Santiago explained how music played an important role in the the initial development phases of Flower. Two musical pieces were commissioned to set the tone of the project, according to Santiago, to "get everyone on the same page... doing sample audio tracks to evoke the emotion [will] keep everyone's work consistent."

Details about Flower itself are rather scant, aside from confirmation that at least part of the game has to do with growing flowers. Said Santiago, Flower involves the "possible emotional impacts of the feeling of growing a flower, and possible interactions as the sun." The title is due out on the PlayStation Network sometime in 2008.

Tags: abstract, art, flow, flower, psn, thatgamecompany

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Marc Federico @ Nov 29th 2007 11:51AM

hopefully this one is actually a game, and not a little flash demo game port

StrangeBum @ Nov 29th 2007 11:58AM

Well prepare to be disappointed. It's not a Flash port this time around but more like an interactive visualizer/screensaver.

At least from what I'm able to gather from it so far. I could be wrong, but it looks damn pretty regardless.

Trev @ Nov 29th 2007 12:10PM

Why bitch about where it came from? Flow was made as part of a thesis with the tools that were available, then a bigger, prettier version was made and put on the PSN. It costs less than my lunch will and is enjoyable for a lot longer.

Akamaru @ Nov 29th 2007 2:28PM

@trev: Just look at his avatar. Of course he is gonna bitch about it. It's not a sci-fi shooter.

Fernando Rocker @ Nov 29th 2007 12:03PM

But flowers are not hardcore.

Jack @ Nov 29th 2007 12:18PM

Yes they are.

WiNG @ Nov 29th 2007 12:23PM

PROOF they are:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEfOdI8BhM4

Fernando Rocker @ Nov 29th 2007 12:27PM

I guess you are right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laYsd55Pz8M

Solomon @ Nov 29th 2007 12:12PM

I like the fact that my PS3 gives me more unique titles. I know what I am getting with my 360 and Wii, But besides the great games like Uncharted, R&C and the others I also get these interesting and fun smaller indi titles.

Anorhc @ Nov 29th 2007 12:39PM

Flouer? Am I reading cursive correctly?

Joe Smith @ Nov 29th 2007 1:03PM

Maybe their next game will be about watching paint dry.

def PD @ Nov 29th 2007 1:15PM

LOL!

Next-gen doesn't officially start 'til then.

Seriously, this game looks interesting and I'll probably end up getting it as well. Which reminds me, I should d/l that fish tank screensaver thing off the PSN.

Eddie @ Nov 29th 2007 1:32PM

I can't wait for Viva Pinata 2!

A different gardening game, you say?

No, it's not possible...

ThornedVenom @ Nov 29th 2007 5:49PM

*ringring*

Hello? This is Animal Crossing.

upz @ Nov 29th 2007 1:52PM

I think Kellee Santiago has got Jade Raymond beat in the 'semi-attractive girl who has something to do with video games' category. I wonder why she's not more popular.

Michel @ Nov 29th 2007 10:20PM

I saw her speak and the guy who wrote that Gamasutra article must not have heard her explain what the game is actually about. She showed some old prototypes that were NOT representative of the current game, and those involved growing flowers in different ways. But then she said that a bug in one of the prototypes created huge petal storms, and it turned out to be really cool. So that's partly what the current Flower they're working on will involve -- using the wind to blow petals through the air and...maybe spreading flowers to empty fields? She wasn't too clear about the rest of the game. They were actually going to play a demo but Jenova Chen was bringing the PS3 and he wasn't allowed in the country due to a visa issue.