Sky: Children of the Light gives you an inside look at how their Van Gogh collaboration came together
Thatgamecompany has released a behind-the-scenes video titled Behind the Canvas, showing how its Dear Van Gogh collaboration in Sky: Children of the Light was built. Unlike typical marketing crossovers, the event introdu…
Thatgamecompany has released a new behind-the-scenes video for its all-ages cozy MMO Sky: Children of the Light, offering a look at how the studio's "Dear Van Gogh" collaboration was built from the ground up. The video, titled Behind the Canvas, breaks down how the works of the Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh were translated into the game's world.
Why this collab is different
Crossovers in games are usually a two-way marketing exercise: each side promotes its own series to the other's audience. Sky: Children of the Light has taken a different approach, using collaborations to introduce its players to cultural treasures they might not otherwise encounter. The Van Gogh event is the latest example, and the new behind-the-scenes video shows the thinking behind it.
Van Gogh himself needs little introduction — a seismic figure in art history whose tragic life has inspired countless fictional works. Turning his distinctive, unmistakable paintings into a game environment posed a real creative challenge, and the video makes clear that both the artist's legacy and how to showcase his works on screen were central considerations for the team. Even players who don't follow Sky: Children of the Light may find it hard not to admire the evident passion behind the project.
When it launched, and what's still available
The Dear Van Gogh event first debuted on July 17th, but it remains accessible in the game as an intended standalone experience. That means players who missed the initial run can still explore it — and those curious about Van Gogh's work can see it presented in an entirely new light.
Where things stand now
With the behind-the-scenes video now out, the Van Gogh collaboration has moved from live event to documented, ongoing experience — still available for new and returning players alike. If you've already played through Dear Van Gogh, the video is a chance to see how it came together; if you haven't, the event itself is still waiting in-game. For those looking beyond this event, lists tracking the best mobile games of 2026 so far remain the go-to resource for this year's top releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "Dear Van Gogh" collaboration in Sky: Children of the Light?
It's a collaboration event that translates the works of Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh into the game's world. A new behind-the-scenes video, titled Behind the Canvas, shows how the event was built from the ground up.
When did the Dear Van Gogh event launch?
The event first debuted on July 17th.
Can I still experience the Van Gogh event if I missed the initial run?
Yes. The event remains accessible in the game as an intended standalone experience, so both new and returning players can still explore it.
Where can I watch how the collaboration was made?
Thatgamecompany has released a behind-the-scenes video called Behind the Canvas, which breaks down how Van Gogh's works were adapted for the game and the thinking behind the collaboration.
How is this collaboration different from typical game crossovers?
Instead of being a two-way marketing exercise, Sky: Children of the Light uses collaborations to introduce players to cultural treasures they might not otherwise encounter, with respect for the artist's legacy as a central consideration.
TagsSky Children of the LightVan GoghThatgamecompanygame collaborationcozy MMO
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