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!



Share Your Thoughts Below  (Always follow our comments policy!)



Keep On Reading!

Sega and Tencent’s Level Infinite Skipping E3 2023

Sega and Tencent’s Level Infinite Skipping E3 2023

Bandai Namco has yet to confirm. Other publishers are reportedly planning to withdraw, though they haven't off...

Resident Evil 4 Remake Sold Over 3 Million Units in its First Two Days

Resident Evil 4 Remake Sold Over 3 Million Units in its First Two Days

The highly acclaimed survival horror remake has already exceeded 3 million units in worldwide shipments and di...

Naughty Dog Says it Will Continue to Develop Games for Both PS5 and PC

Naughty Dog Says it Will Continue to Develop Games for Both PS5 and PC

"Sharing our stories and experiences on PS5 as well as PC is something that Naughty Dog has embraced and will ...

The Last of Us Part 1 is PlayStation’s 4th Biggest Steam Launch to Date

The Last of Us Part 1 is PlayStation’s 4th Biggest Steam Launch to Date

The remake enjoyed a peak concurrent user count of over 36,000 players on Steam on the day of its launch.

The Last of Us Part 1 on PC – Naughty Dog Investigating Crashes, Performance Issues

The Last of Us Part 1 on PC – Naughty Dog Investigating Crashes, Performance Issues

The long-awaited PC port of the remake is riddled with issues at launch, earning a "Mostly Negative" user revi...

Street Fighter 6 – Cammy and Manon Battle in New Developer Match

Street Fighter 6 – Cammy and Manon Battle in New Developer Match

A precise assassin meets a graceful Judo expert ahead of the game's release on June 2nd for Xbox Series X/S, P...