Jenova Chen: “It’s the games that make us assholes”

Posted By | On 03rd, Apr. 2012

Jenova Chen, the co-founder of Thatgamecompany had a lot to say in a lengthy interview with Eurogamer. He mentioned that the reason people behave like “assholes” in multiplayer is because of how the game is designed.

“None of us was born to be an asshole. I believe that very often it’s not really the player that’s an asshole. It’s the game designer that made them an asshole. If you spend every day killing one another how are you going to be a nice guy?”

“All console games are about killing each other, or killing one another together. Don’t you see? It’s our games that make us assholes,” he added.

So he revealed the reason why he created Journey’s unique multiplayer experience.

“So what we try to do is spearhead emotional content. If the entire game industry is focusing on excitement and adrenaline rushes, well, then I will look at peace, or love.

“That way we can expand the perception of what games can be and can accomplish. That’s why I make games. That’s why I am on this journey,” he said.

He also said that his way of creating the game was successful and he received positive messages from gamers.

“I had messages from people in Japan saying they had cried while playing. Someone even told me I was a beautiful person for making this game. My entire life and nobody told me I was a beautiful person. So I sat back and wondered: what went right? What’s the difference between this game and the others?

“The only difference I could think of was that the game makes you feel differently. In that moment I realised this was my life calling. Rather than being a film or animation director I could change what people see games as. I’d go as far as to say I feel like I have a responsibility to do it.”

Tell us what you think in the comments section below.


Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out!

Keep On Reading!

Borderlands 4’s Endgame is “Very Ambitious,” Says Creative Director

Borderlands 4’s Endgame is “Very Ambitious,” Says Creative Director

Gearbox's Graeme Timmins said the team has "thought about" the shooter's endgame "from the jump" and has some ...

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch – New Game Plus Update is Live, 3 New Weapons Also Added

Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch – New Game Plus Update is Live, 3 New Weapons Also Added

Those who finished the game can embark on multiple New Game+ cycles against tougher enemies and uncover improv...

Jurassic World Evolution 3 Trailer Showcases the Lokiceratops

Jurassic World Evolution 3 Trailer Showcases the Lokiceratops

As a ceratopsian, the Lokiceratops is distinguished by its curved horns and social nature, though it can be fi...

Splitgate 2 Interview – Post-Launch Content, Player Feedback, Console Performance, and More

Splitgate 2 Interview – Post-Launch Content, Player Feedback, Console Performance, and More

Co-founder and CEO of 1047 Games Ian Proulx was kind enough to answer some of our questions about competitive ...

ROUTINE is Still in Active Development, Approaching “The Finish Line”

ROUTINE is Still in Active Development, Approaching “The Finish Line”

Regarding the release date, developer Lunar Software is "confident that we’ll be able to share more news on ...

Steel Hunters is Ending Development With Servers Shutting Down on October 8th

Steel Hunters is Ending Development With Servers Shutting Down on October 8th

After entering early access in April, Wargaming says that "continuing development" on the free-to-play PvEvP s...