It’s always amazing what clever content developers will come up with to further flesh out the titles they make. In the case of thatgamecompany, they have made countless classic titles, including Sky: Children of the Light. Today, a special interactive expansion of the game has been released in the form of Dear Van Gogh. Yes, THAT Van Gogh. You’ll get to be guided through the life of legendary, troubled painter while also exploring the rest of the main game. In a press release, they broke down what the interactive experience is like, alongside a trailer:

“Players can now step into a living, painterly rendition of Vincent van Gogh’s world, tracing his most iconic paintings through 3D recreations rendered in the bold brushwork and vivid color that made his work unmistakably his own. More than the paintings themselves, Dear Van Gogh centers its story on the family whose belief in him never wavered, sustaining him through his hardest years and preserving his legacy long after he was gone.

Guided by Theo’s wife, Johanna, players become quiet witnesses to a life shaped as much by that invisible support as by Van Gogh’s own restless vision. Through her, players learn how the birth of her son inspired Vincent into a new era of painting, along with her tireless work to promote Van Gogh’s paintings after his tragic death at age 37.”

Pretty emotional, huh? Video games can do much more than just be about battles and puzzles and such. The gaming features for Dear Van Gogh are explained as follows:

• Art Comes to Life: Explore beautiful, playable environments made from Van Gogh’s best known paintings, from sunlit fields in the Netherlands to the glowing night skies that only he could imagine. Each and every landscape is a work of art in motion, rendered in his bold, expressive brushstroke style and alive with the emotion he poured into every canvas.
• Witness his Story Unfold: The world knows the legend. Few know the full story. Through hope and ambition, heartbreak and quiet resilience, you’ll meet the people, places, and experiences that formed not only his art but also the man.
• Paint the World with Others: Just as Van Gogh was never truly alone in his creative journey, neither are you. Use Sky’s signature brushstroke mechanic to collaborate with other players, bringing color and light back to the world together. Because some things are simply more beautiful when shared.
• Return to the Real World, Evolved: At the end of the experience, pause and look back at what you just experienced. You’re welcome to reflect on and share what you observed and what moved you. Dear Van Gogh is more than just a game, it is an invitation to see one of history’s greatest artists in a new light, and question everything you thought you knew about the story behind the art.

So, if experiencing the life and work of Van Gogh is appealing to you, get both the main game and the expansive experience today!