Studio thatgamecompany, known for masterpieces such as Journey and Sky: Children of the Light, has released a new behind-the-scenes video. In it, the developers detailed the creation of “Dear Van Gogh” — an interactive project within the cozy MMO Sky, dedicated to the life and work of iconic artist Vincent van Gogh.
Art through the prism of video games
The “Dear Van Gogh” experience invites players to immerse themselves in the world of 19th-century post-impressionism through visual style, music, animation, and game design. The five-minute video pulls back the curtain on the process of combining video game storytelling with the legacy of one of the most famous artists in history.
“Reading the letters between Vincent and Theo, I genuinely cried over this artist's story, focused on unsung heroes with unconditional love. It is incredible to see how our game can inspire the younger generation to rediscover brilliant artists,” noted the studio's CEO and Creative Director Jenova Chen.
What was shown in the behind-the-scenes video:
- How thatgamecompany artists translated Van Gogh's iconic painting style into a 3D world;
- How the correspondence between Vincent, his brother Theo, and sister-in-law Johanna inspired the team to tell a story about family support;
- How the developers approached the theme of the artist's mental health struggles and untimely death while preserving a fond memory of his life.
The interactive experience “Dear Van Gogh” is available within the free-to-play game Sky: Children of the Light, which can be downloaded on Nintendo Switch, smartphones, and PC.
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