It’s been over five years since thatgamecompany released Journey, and many wondered when their follow up game would be officially announced. That announcement came this week, and it arrived with a strange surprise.

The past three games released by thatgamecompany have been Sony console releases (Flow, Flower, and Journey). When Sky was announced, it was revealed it would debut on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.

I will admit, my initial response was WHAT?! What on EARTH were they THINKING?!

To be really honest, I’m not sure what they were thinking. I happened to see a bevy of comments on various social media posts and the vast majority can be summarized in the following sentence:

Why is Sky not releasing on console?

My thoughts exactly.

I went to thatgamecompany’s page for the game, and there is very little so far to go off of. Their description of the game is as follows:

Spread Light

Hold hands with your loved ones as you fly together through a desolate sky kingdom, where generosity and compassion is key to lighting your path.

That’s a statement I can get behind.

I don’t like to use my phone for more than I have to. I already feel I rely on it more than I’m comfortable with, and the idea that a game I’ve been abstractly anticipating will only be playable via that device troubles me.

Thatgamecompany’s games are visually (and thematically) beautiful. When I play them, I want to see them in all their glory on a large television. I don’t want to experience them on a relatively tiny device I can shove in my pocket.

But then I think, thatgamecompany knows what they are doing; why wouldn’t I trust them on this? Who am I to say on what platform a game (a game I haven’t played, no less) should premiere? If they feel this is the best place for Sky, who am I to judge?

I also think about how many people have Apple devices as opposed to own consoles and I assume the numbers are much higher. Perhaps this will allow the game to reach more consumers?

The trailer feels reminiscent of Journey, albeit it further into the atmosphere:

I keep reminding myself to have an open mind about this. I will admit, there is a part of me that already feels off-put. I start wondering if they had a falling out with Sony or if Apple pursued some sort of exclusive release situation. I also wonder if it will ever come to console. It still seems like such a strange choice to go the mobile route; I know plenty of solid games have come out on mobile, but I still feel puzzled.

What do you think of Sky’s release on Apple products?

And with that I ask: what will you be playing this weekend? Any glorious non-gaming plans?

I will be playing so much more Destiny 2. I almost feel sleepy just thinking about it. I hope to reclaim my normal schedule next week for sleeping and writing and such, but this weekend it’s all about Destiny 2. I’m hoping to find a way to do the raid, but I have no idea if we will be able to get six folks together from the clan to make it happen. I suppose we’ll see.

Please be safe out there and have a lovely weekend. Cheers, friends.