Jenova Chen

Cloud is a 2005 puzzle video game developed by a team of students in the University of Southern California's Interactive Media Program. The indie team began development of Cloud in January 2005 with a US$20,000 grant from the school; the game was released as a free download that October. By July 2006, the hosting website had received 6 million visits, and the game had been downloaded 600,000 times. Players fly through a dream world and manipulate clouds to solve puzzles. The concept was partially based on the childhood daydreams of lead designer Jenova Chen (pictured), who had often been hospitalized for asthma. Cloud won a Student Showcase award at the 2006 Independent Games Festival. The game was well received by critics, who cited its visuals, music, and relaxing atmosphere as high points. Chen and producer Kellee Santiago went on to co-found the studio Thatgamecompany, which has considered remaking Cloud as a commercial video game. (Full article...)

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