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Did the Designer Behind ‘Sky’ and ‘Journey’ Raise $35 Million? What the Records Show

Jenova Chen and thatgamecompany are behind Journey and Sky. The $35 million claim is unverified; TPG reported a separate $160 million investment in 2022.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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The designer behind Sky: Children of the Light and Journey is Jenova Chen, co-founder and CEO of thatgamecompany. But the $35 million figure in the headline is not verified by the available official sources. TPG announced a different transaction: a $160 million investment in thatgamecompany from TPG and Sequoia on March 3, 2022.

Who is the designer behind Sky and Journey?

Jenova Chen co-founded thatgamecompany and serves as its CEO. The studio’s games include flOw, Flower, Journey and Sky: Children of the Light. In its 20-year anniversary announcement, the company dates Journey to 2012 and Sky to 2019. thatgamecompany’s anniversary announcement also says the studio was founded in 2006.

Is the $35 million funding figure confirmed?

No. The available official source does not verify a $35 million transaction. TPG’s March 3, 2022 announcement says thatgamecompany received a $160 million investment from TPG and Sequoia. It does not establish whether a separate $35 million deal occurred, or explain the amount in the headline. The two figures should not be treated as interchangeable: the $160 million announcement is a distinct, dated report, not confirmation of $35 million.

TPG’s announcement identifies Chen as the studio’s co-founder and CEO. In it, Chen said: “Our mission is to elevate games as a legitimate form of art.” TPG’s announcement names both investors and gives the date and amount of that investment.

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#1 Best Overall
Journey: Collector's Edition [PlayStation 4, PS4] [video game]
  • Import Version - Game fully playable in English - Box in Nordic
  • PLEASE NOTE : Region Free / Compatible with US PS4 (only DLC may requires to create an european PSN account)

Without an original report or transaction announcement for the $35 million claim, its date, investors, currency and form of financing are not established. It is also unclear whether the headline refers to a different transaction or contains an error.

What is thatgamecompany doing now?

On August 25, 2026, thatgamecompany announced thatgamepublisher, a publishing label intended to support developers making emotionally ambitious games. The company says planned services include funding, production planning, platform and launch strategy, marketing, community support and long-term intellectual-property development.

Rank #2
Sale
Journey To The Savage Planet PS4 - PlayStation 4
  • 2-PLAYER ONLINE CO-OP: Play solo or bring a friend. Onward to adventure!
  • EXPLORE, FIGHT & CATALOG: Survey 4 different Biomes on Planet AR-Y 26. Scan and catalog alien flora and fauna at your own pace.
  • Discover 30+ creatures, each with unique behaviors, threats, and abilities. Complete player-driven quests while uncovering hundreds of collectibles and secrets along the way.
  • UPGRADE TO ADVANCE: Access new areas by upgrading your tools including a laser pistol, a rocket pack for boost jumps, rocket boots for swift descents and more. Your trusty 3D printer will turn any old space trash you discover into useful items!
  • UNCOVER THE MYSTERY: Are you truly alone? Solve the mystery to complete your survey of the planet.

Chen, identified in the announcement as CEO and creative director, said: “When we first began making games, many people questioned whether interactive experiences could move players as deeply as film, literature or music.” The announcement describes the label’s intended services; it does not establish its submission process, eligibility rules or deal terms. Read the company’s announcement of thatgamepublisher. Game Developer also reported on the announcement.

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How large is Sky?

In May 2026, thatgamecompany reported that Sky: Children of the Light had surpassed 300 million downloads. That is a company-reported total; the announcement does not give a separate measurement methodology. The figure provides a sense of the game’s reach, but it does not verify the $35 million funding claim.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Journey: Collector's Edition [PlayStation 4, PS4] [video game]
Journey: Collector's Edition [PlayStation 4, PS4] [video game]
Import Version - Game fully playable in English - Box in Nordic
$79.99
SaleBestseller No. 2
Journey To The Savage Planet PS4 - PlayStation 4
Journey To The Savage Planet PS4 - PlayStation 4
2-PLAYER ONLINE CO-OP: Play solo or bring a friend. Onward to adventure!
$24.80
Bestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 4
Bestseller No. 5
Little Nightmares - Complete Edition PS4 (PS4)
Little Nightmares - Complete Edition PS4 (PS4)
Little Nightmares; Little Nightmares Secrets of The Maw Expansion Pass; PLAYSTAYTION
$22.92
Best Value
Little Nightmares - Complete Edition PS4 (PS4)
  • Little Nightmares
  • Little Nightmares Secrets of The Maw Expansion Pass
  • PLAYSTAYTION
  • Embark on a Grim Adventure: Immerse yourself in an interactive dark whimsical tale that will confront you with childlike fears and question any preconceived idea you had.
  • Visit the most Intriguing Dollhouse: Explore a disturbingly charming world set apart by its distinctive art signature, offering a prison to escape from and a playground to revel in.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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