Sad Owl Studios’ ingenious, mind-bending puzzle game Viewfinder won best British game and best new IP at the BAFTA Awards earlier in 2024, and now the studio’s lead artist, Sophie Knowles, has just been selected as a BAFTA Breakthrough.
BAFTA Breakthrough Recognition
Made in Unity and released in PlayStation 5 and Steam Viewfinder is one of the year’s best indie games. This unique puzzle game that plays with 3D space and 2D art, in which players can alter the game’s would through photography.
Sophie Knowles on Her Breakthrough
Although Sophie is grateful for being chosen – “It’s nice to have what I’ve done recognised” – she’s also aware that as an artist, she’s one of the more visible contributors to a collaborative effort that involves people from many different disciplines. “When people think about what goes into making a game, people only really think about the art and the programming,” she says. “A lot of other people that make games are a bit more invisible, and I don’t think [they] get the recognition that they deserve.”
A New Chapter for Sophie
She adds that it’s “weird” to think of her name among the BAFTA Breakthrough cohort, bearing in mind that stars like Tom Holland and Florence Pugh have been participants in the past. “I’d never really consider myself part of that world,” she says. “Games doesn’t really have the same celebrity that film and TV has. We have our big names and everything, but it’s not a scratch on Tom Holland.”
What’s Next for Sad Owl Studios?
Sophie is hoping that the year of support, industry introductions and career development that comes with being picked as a BAFTA Breakthrough will help her to decide her next steps. “I’ve kind of stumbled my way throughout my career,” she says, going from being a 3D generalist to an art lead, so she’s looking forward to picking the brains of experienced mentors about future directions. “I think it’s going to be incredibly useful to help visualise what I my next step should be.”
Future Success Uncertain
But in the meantime, “things have been going pretty well” at Sad Owl Studios, she says. “The studio was put together to make Viewfinder, but we still exist, and we still want to make more games. So hopefully we do get to make more games together.”
Challenges Ahead
Even though Viewfinder has two BAFTA wins to its name, she acknowledges that Sad Owl’s future success can’t be taken for granted. “The industry right now is in such a weird position,” she laments. “The fact that we have had some critical acclaim for the game and we’ve got a lot of players who’ve loved the game, I hope that means that [we can get] funding to make more games. But it’s hard to say with how the industry is right now, because it’s a bit of a mess, to be honest.”
Conclusion
Sophie Knowles is a shining example of the talent and dedication that exists within the indie game development community. As a BAFTA Breakthrough, she will have access to resources and support that will help her grow both personally and professionally. Here’s hoping that Sad Owl Studios continues to create innovative and captivating games that will leave a lasting impact on the industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the BAFTA Breakthrough?
A: The BAFTA Breakthrough is a program that aims to support and celebrate up-and-coming talent in the UK film, games, and television industries.
Q: What does Sophie Knowles plan to do next?
A: Sophie Knowles plans to use the BAFTA Breakthrough program as an opportunity to network and learn from industry professionals, and to gain clarity on her next career steps.
Q: What does the future hold for Sad Owl Studios?
A: Sad Owl Studios is hopeful that the success of Viewfinder will lead to funding and opportunities to create more games in the future, but the current state of the industry remains uncertain.
