Developing the student project Cloud led to over 400,000 downloads within four months, a milestone that convinced Kellee Santiago to pivot from experimental theater to the video game industry. Born in 1979 in Caracas, Venezuela, she eventually combined her software engineering background with digital media to co-found the studio thatgamecompany and influence the landscape of independent game development.
Academic Transition and Early Projects
After graduating from Clover Hill High School in Richmond, Virginia, Santiago moved to New York City at age 18. She attended the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, where her theater work centered on incorporating interactive digital media. In 2003, she moved to Los Angeles to study at the University of Southern California Interactive Media Division. A history of game design course taught by Tracy Fullerton redirected her focus toward video games. During her studies, she produced the student game Cloud alongside Jenova Chen, an experience that demonstrated the potential for games to express complex, emotional themes.
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In May 2006, Santiago and Chen founded thatgamecompany in Los Angeles, securing a contract with Sony Computer Entertainment. Santiago served as president and lead producer for their initial titles. She produced the 2007 release flOw, followed by Flower in 2009. These projects established the studio as a prominent name in independent development. By the time production began on their third title, Journey, she transitioned to a broader directorial role. She departed the company on March 29, 2012, shortly after Journey's release.
Advocacy and Industry Roles
Beyond her studio leadership, Santiago engaged in broader industry advocacy. She became a TED fellow in 2009 and served as a backer for the Indie Fund, an investment group for independent developers established in 2010. Her professional journey includes diverse roles such as head of developer relations at Ouya, beginning in March 2013, followed by a tenure at Google Play Games. She later held leadership positions at Niantic and served as an executive vice president at E-Line Media from 2024 to 2025.
Fast facts
- Born: 1979, Caracas
- Citizenship: United States and Venezuela
- Notable Works: Cloud, flOw, Flower, Journey
- Education: New York University; University of Southern California
- Career Milestone: Co-founder of thatgamecompany
- Marriage: Mike Stein, 2010
- Industry recognition: TED fellow, 2009
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the game Cloud?
It was a student project that gained 400,000 downloads in four months, proving there was a market for emotionally driven, non-traditional video games.
What companies has Santiago worked for since leaving thatgamecompany?
Her career includes roles at Ouya, Google Play Games, Niantic, and E-Line Media.
Achievements
- Notable work: Cloud
- Notable work: flOw
- Notable work: Flower
- Notable work: Journey
- Affiliated with Google
- Educated at New York University Tisch School of the Arts, USC Interactive Media Division and University of Southern California
- Worked as video game producer, game designer and computer scientist
