Jenova Chen, CEO of Thatgamecompany, will speak at the opening of GamesBeat Summit 2026 about the company’s 20-year history of making deeply emotional games as well as the future of gaming.
Thatgamecompany has made timeless games that resonate with players emotionally. The hits included Sky: Children of Light, Journey, Flower and Flow.
Chen will do a fireside chat with Michael Metzger, managing partner at Drake Star Partners, about: “Lessons and inspirations: At thatgamecompany’s 20-year milestone, CEO and Creative Director Jenova Chen reflects on redefining games as emotional, artistic, and deeply human experiences, and looks ahead to the future of interactive entertainment.”
The games resonate with players, as Sky: Children of Light had been downloaded more than 270 million times as of mid-2025.
GamesBeat Summit 2026
This is one of dozens of talks we’re planning for GamesBeat Summit 2026, which takes place May 18-19 in Marina del Rey in Los Angeles at the Marina del Rey Marriott.
We’re looking forward to the fireside chat at the start of our two-day conference, which will focus on the theme of Experience Meets Acceleration. It’s about how the fast-moving game industry needs sharper leadership to navigate at speed through the challenges of technology, talent, business models and how audiences connect with content.
GamesBeat Summit 2026 is where experience meets acceleration. It’s where the industry’s most influential decision-makers, innovators, and builders come together to challenge assumptions, compare notes, and align on what comes next — without losing sight of what already works.
We’ll dive into the trends actively shaping gaming’s future — from AI and UGC ecosystems to platform dynamics, live services, new monetization paths, and cross-media storytelling — with a focus on what’s working now and where the biggest opportunities are emerging.
Expect candid conversations, practical takeaways, and high-value connections that turn insight into action — and ideas into real-world partnerships, strategies, and growth. We’ll be revealing more of our great speakers soon.
Jenova Chen’s journey
I’ve played all of these games and they always we strike me at my emotional core and I’ve always played them with my kids. The game studio is dedicated to creating timeless interactive entertainment that inspires human connection across the world, for all ages.
Chen is an acclaimed game designer and artist, celebrated for redefining interactive storytelling through emotionally rich and visually stunning games.
As the cofounder of Thatgamecompany, Chen has led the creation of groundbreaking titles such as Journey, Flower, Flow and Sky: Children of the Light, which explore themes of human connection, empathy, and self-reflection.
His work has received critical acclaim and numerous prestigious awards, including multiple BAFTA awards for Artistic Achievement, as well as the DICE Award for Game of the Year and a Peabody Award for Journey‘s innovative storytelling. These accolades underscore Jenova’s profound impact on independent game development and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of interactive art.
With a background in Film & Interactive Media from the University of Southern California,
ChenJenova combines his artistic vision with psychology and technology, crafting experiences that transcend conventional gaming and resonate with players worldwide. He believes video games can connect people across generations, enrich players’ lives, and be created with the care and integrity that earns lasting respect.
A seasoned moderator
Metzger is a managing Partner at Drake Star, a leading global media and tech investment bank. A recognized thought leader in digital media and gaming, he has successfully executed over 25 M&A and financing transactions within the gaming space.
In recognition of his achievements, he was named M&A Banker of the Year, Boutique Investment Banking in 2024. Michael holds five patents in the media & tech space and serves as Chairman and Board Director of the German American Business Association in Southern California.
Before Drake Star, he was a senior investment banker at Houlihan Lokey’s TMT group and Principal at MESA Global. Metzger previously moderated fireside chats with us with speakers including Human Sakhnini, CEO of Discord, and Ken Wee, chief strategy officer at Mattel. Hope to see you at our event.