thatgamecompany, the studio behind Journey and Sky: Children of the Light, runs its live game Sky past 300 million downloads and marks its 20th year with the Dear Van Gogh in-game story, a new publishing label, and multiple real-world events in summer 2026.
thatgamecompany turned 20 in May 2026, and its live game Sky: Children of the Light has passed 300 million cumulative downloads as it enters its eighth year. The studio marked both milestones with a deliberate departure from its wordless history: Dear Van Gogh, a narrative built around spoken and written language and based on real letters between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo, launched in Sky on July 17, 2026. Founder and CEO Jenova Chen discussed the anniversary, the new content, and his views on AI in a recent interview.
Dear Van Gogh anchors a summer of physical extensions. A collaboration cafe with Sweets Paradise runs August 1 to 31 across five stores in two phases, with themed menus and goods featuring newly drawn Van Gogh-inspired illustrations. A limited-time pop-up at the former Sanzenri site in Shibuya runs August 4 to 11, with free exhibits and a reservation-required wheat field installation, drawing crowds at Shibuya Scramble Crossing on its opening day.
Separately, thatgamecompany announced on August 25, 2026 a new publishing label, thatgamepublisher, targeting ambitious, emotionally resonant games. The division was enabled by surplus funds from Sky's success, particularly in China, and will offer production planning, platform and launch strategy, marketing, community building, and long-term IP development, including investment in larger AA-scale projects. Publishing contracts for several titles were already signed, though details were not disclosed.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Aug 27
thatgamecompany, the studio behind Journey and Sky: Children of the Light, announced on August 25, 2026 that it has established a new publishing label called thatgamepublisher. The label targets ambitious, emotionally resonant games and supports developers who use interactivity to expand the emotional range games can convey. According to an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, the success of Sky, particularly in the Chinese region, generated surplus funds that enabled the creation of the division. Co-founder Jenova Chen said indie studios with hit titles naturally want to invest in areas they understand, citing examples like Pocketpair and its Palworld publishing arm. thatgamepublisher will offer more than funding, including production planning, platform and launch strategy, marketing, community building, and long-term IP development. The division also plans to invest in larger AA-scale projects, a departure from typical indie publishers that invest under $1 million. Publishing contracts for several titles were already signed at the time of the interview, though details were not disclosed. The company's official X account invited developers of any team size, development stage, or genre to apply.
Aug 6
thatgamecompany is holding a limited-time pop-up event for Sky: Children of the Light from August 4 to 11, 2026, at the former Sanzenri site in Shibuya, Tokyo. The event commemorates the start of distribution of the interactive experience Dear Van Gogh within Sky. Visitors can experience the world of the interactive experience, which explores the life and works of Vincent van Gogh, through exhibits and spatial design.
Aug 6
thatgamecompany turned 20 in May 2026, and its live game Sky: Children of the Light has surpassed 300 million cumulative downloads as it enters its eighth year of operation. The studio launched a new in-game story, Dear Van Gogh, on July 17, based on real letters between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo. Founder and CEO Jenova Chen discussed the milestone, the new content, and his views on AI in a recent interview.
Jul 17
thatgamecompany released the interactive experience 'Dear Van Gogh: To Dearly Beloved Van Gogh' within Sky: Children of the Light, available from July 17, 2026. A limited-time pop-up event at the former Sanzenri site in Shibuya runs from August 4 to August 11, featuring free exhibits and a reservation-required wheat field installation.
Jun 27
thatgamecompany announced a collaboration cafe with Sweets Paradise for Sky: Children of the Light, running from August 1 to 31 across five stores in two phases. The event commemorates the in-game Dear Van Gogh experience and will feature themed menus and goods with newly drawn Van Gogh-inspired illustrations. Reservations open June 28.