The University of Southern California today announced that Jenova Chen, co- founder of thatgamecompany, has been recognized by Technology Review magazine as one of the world’s top innovators under the age of 35 for his revolutionary approach to video gaming.

As a graduate student, Chen looked to psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s theory of “flow,” which identifies a state of focus that people find enjoyable and fulfilling. Chen uses the theory’s principles to design games that offer just enough challenge — not so little that players become bored, not so much that they become anxious.

Chen, along with Kellee Santiago, formed thatgamecompany, and secured a 3 game deal with Sony Computer Entertainment America. Their first commercial title “flOw” was release on the SONY PS3 Network, has been named the “Best Downloadable Game of 2008″ and “Best Debut Game & Innovation Nominee” by the Game Developers Choice Awards 2008, and is the best selling game on the Playstation Network in both US and Japan. Their next title, “Flower,” will be released later this year.

“The TR35 honors young innovators for accomplishments that are poised to have a dramatic impact on the world as we know it,” said Jason Pontin, editor- in-chief and publisher of Technology Review magazine. “We celebrate their success and look forward to their continued advancement of technology in their respective fields.”

“Jenova Chen exemplifies what it means to be an innovator. He pushes the boundaries of his industry, questioning assumptions about what gaming can be. Because of his breakthrough vision, the impact from his approach to gaming will be felt for generations to come,” said Krisztina “Z” Holly, USC Vice Provost for Innovation and Executive Director of the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation.

Chen and the other TR35 winners for 2008 will be featured in the September issue of Technology Review magazine and honored at EmTech08 Conference to be held at MIT in Cambridge, Mass. September 23-25, 2008.