Video game newcomers eye more emotional range

By Lisa Baertlein

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jenova Chen and Kellee Santiago, two of video gaming's hottest independent developers, are tapping new emotions with their games in a bid to give their industry the range to rival Hollywood films.

The duo is off to a strong start. They sold their student game "flOw" -- a soothing title where players guide an aquatic creature as it eats and evolves to the beat of ethereal background music -- to console giant Sony Corp. (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz)(SNE.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), which also has the first crack at their next two projects.

"Right now video games are focused on releasing anger and stress...that's really limited. If you want a deeper understanding of life, you aren't going to get it from a video game," said Chen, 25.

He and Santiago, 28, arrived on the scene in time to ride a wave of technological change that's made it easier for hobbyists to create games and share them via the Web.

Not long ago, "it was more prohibitive to make a game than a film," said Jamil Moledina, the executive director of the Game Developers Conference, a trade event.

He noted that independent game makers now have an opportunity to leave their mark without being part of a $20 million team.

Moledina described "flOw" as engrossing and calming and said the game is an example of how the video game business is expanding beyond the genres of shooters, racers and puzzle games.

"They are part of a growing breed of independent developers who are challenging what games are supposed to look like," Moledina said.