Known for:
Flow (2006), Flower (2009), Journey (2012)
Biography:
Kellee Santiago is an American video game producer, designer, and entrepreneur, born in 1979 in Caracas, Venezuela, and raised in the United States. She is best known as the co-founder of thatgamecompany, a studio celebrated for its artistic and emotionally impactful games. Santiago studied at the University of Southern California’s Interactive Media program, where she developed her early ideas about games as a medium for artistic expression.
Career beginnings:
While at USC, Santiago collaborated with Jenova Chen on Flow, a project that later gained widespread recognition after being released on PlayStation platforms. This success led to the foundation of thatgamecompany in 2006, with Santiago playing a key role in shaping its creative direction.
Notable works and release dates:
- Flow — 2006
- Flower — 2009
- Journey — 2012
Style and design philosophy:
Santiago’s philosophy centers on exploring the emotional and artistic potential of video games. She advocates for games as a form of art that can evoke deep feelings, much like film or literature. Under her leadership, thatgamecompany produced titles that emphasized beauty, simplicity, and emotional connection over traditional mechanics.
Recognition and awards:
- Journey received numerous awards, including several BAFTA Game Awards and Game of the Year nominations.
- Santiago has been recognized as one of the most influential women in gaming by multiple publications.
- Her work helped establish thatgamecompany as a pioneering force in redefining the boundaries of video games as an art form.
Sources:
- Wikipedia
- USC Games Alumni Profiles
- Game Developer magazine features
- thatgamecompany history