Journey, the adventure title from SCEA and ThatGameCompany, is officially the fastest-selling game of all time on the PlayStation Network. The game was released last March 13, and thousands of eager games snapped up this title and propelled it to the top of the bestseller charts.
ThatGameCompany creative director Jenova Chen announced this feat on the PlayStation Blog, adding that “it has been an exciting two weeks for us [at ThatGameCompany] since we launched Journey… We see the personal connection between our work and the players, which is the most real and priceless reward for us… [W]e thank you so much for your support, for spending time and money to play our game and for spreading the word about Journey to your dear friends and family.”
However, it was not clear how many copies of Journey were sold—they were not revealed in the announcement and the company behind the PlayStation Network, Sony, has not given information to confirm or deny the figures. Earlier, ThatGameCompany president and co-founder Kellee Santiago announced departure from the game development company—as well as other members of the staff. Santiago’s departure is seen to be a part of the big changes that the studio is currently going through.
Chen thanked the players in the blog post, adding: “Thanks to you, Journey has officially broken PlayStation Network and PlayStation Store sales records, surpassing all first and third-party games to become the fastest-selling game ever released in the SCEA region on the PlayStation Network.” The creative director goes on to announce that the soundtrack of this best-selling game will be available on both the PlayStation Store and the iTunes store on April 10. The soundtrack, featuring the compositions of Austin Wintory (of the Grace and Captain Abu Raed fame) and will eventually see a limited release on CD format.
It is quite easy to see why Journey broke the sales records of the PlayStation Network. This adventure title—set in a mysterious desert—is filled with all the right elements that make for an engaging and unforgettable game. Basically a third-person, two-player adventure, you will be required to travel to a mountain by using a desert road. You will begin your journey by hiking toward a peak that you can see on the horizon, without context or clues what the purpose of the goal might be.
Journey is concise—it would be unfair to call it short—you can play this title within three short hours, but is wonderfully structured with emotional elements that will be best discovered and experienced within a single sitting. This is the most successful title of That Game Company, which was a culmination of years of experience in the field, as well as artistry and genius in the medium. The visuals are quite stunning, and the sonic experience of the soundtrack is equally amazing.
That Game Company, on the other hand, is also the game studio behind other successful titles such as Flower and flOw.
