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Jenova Chen

b. 1981

Video game developer, co-founder of Thatgamecompany (born 1981)

Computer scientist Artist Video game director
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About Jenova Chen

Born 1981. Jenova Chen is a Chinese computer scientist, artist, video game director and video game designer, known for Thatgamecompany.

Xinghan Chen (; born October 8, 1981), known professionally as Jenova Chen, is a Chinese video game designer. He is the designer of the award-winning games Cloud, Flow, Flower, and Journey, co-founder of Thatgamecompany as well as an advisor for Annapurna Interactive.

Chen is from Shanghai, where he earned a bachelor's degree in computer science with a minor in digital art and design from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He moved to the United States, where he earned a master's degree from the University of Southern California's Interactive Media Division. While there he created Cloud and Flow, and met fellow student Kellee Santiago. After a brief period at Maxis working on Spore, he founded Thatgamecompany with Santiago and became the company's creative director. The company signed a three-game deal with Sony Computer Entertainment, and has sold Flow, Flower, and Journey through the PlayStation Network.

As Chen was born in a culture other than the culture he lives in, he tries to make games that appeal universally to all people. His goal with his games is to help video games mature as a medium by making games that inspire emotional responses in the player that other games are lacking. Although he and Thatgamecompany can and have made more traditional games, he does not plan on commercially developing any of them, as he does not think that it fits with their goals as an independent video game developer.

Early life and education Chen was born in Shanghai on October 8, 1981,

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Important facts

Birth century
Known for
Thatgamecompany
Education
University of Southern California, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, USC Interactive Media Division, Donghua University
Also known as
Chén Xīnghàn, Xinghan Chen

People in Jenova Chen's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jenova Chen's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Jenova Chen?

video game developer, co-founder of Thatgamecompany (born 1981)

When was Jenova Chen born?

Jenova Chen was born on 8 October 1981 in Shanghai.

What is Jenova Chen's occupation?

Jenova Chen is a computer scientist, artist, video game director and video game designer.

What is Jenova Chen known for?

Jenova Chen is known for Thatgamecompany.

What nationality is Jenova Chen?

Jenova Chen is Chinese.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jenova Chen

· Wikidata: Q710724

· DBpedia: Jenova Chen

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jenova Chen. https://biography.guide/jenova-chen/

MLA: "Jenova Chen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jenova-chen/.

Chicago: "Jenova Chen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jenova-chen/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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