Thatgamecompany co-founder Kelle Santiago has confirmed her departure from the studio.
The developer has recently wrapped on its three-game exclusivity deal with Sony, which saw the release of Flow, Flower and Journey. Santiago’s decision to leave the studio comes as the company is beginning work on its next project.
Speaking with Gamasutra, Santiago commented: "After doing these three games, I think it was a really great opportunity for all of us to look at what we’ve learned and what I’ve taken from that experience, and go forth and take it into new arenas.”
"On top of that, founding a company whose explicit goal was to do new types of game development really allowed me to be able to try out new processes for game development, to try out new ideas."
Santiago went on to add she feels she has done all she can at the studio, though noted it’s in good hands in the shape of fellow co-founder Jenova Chen.
"So much of my work at thatgamecompany was really supporting Jenova’s visions for the types of games he wanted to make, and I felt like I have done everything I needed to do there, and that he’s in a great place now to go on and continue with some of the other people at thatgamecompany, to take that to a whole new height."
Finally, the Journey developer added: "While we want to continue the path of thatgamecompany, Kellee has found a new direction in her career. Though our path in the future may be different, as TGC begins our next project, we wish Kellee a good journey and that our paths may cross again."