UK-made game Viewfinder wins Europlay 2021, the ‘Eurovision of video games’

British puzzle game Viewfinder has won Europlay 2021, the ‘Eurovision of video games’.

Currently in development at Robot Turtle, the photography-based puzzle game won Ukie’s Game of the Show award earlier this week, beating out 14 other titles to be crowned the best in-development UK game.

The award is designed to showcase the creativity and skill of UK developers by highlighting UK-developed, as yet unreleased games to publishers, investors and the media.

Winning UK Game of the Show also qualified the game for Europlay, in which 15 countries put their best game forward to compete in a public vote to see which was the best in Europe.

After over 10,000 votes were cast, Viewfinder was crowned the winner, bringing the title to the UK.

In the game, the player uses a Polaroid-style camera to take photos of their surroundings.

They can then hold these photos up and make their contents appear in real life, transforming the world’s perspective in the process.

“Solve open-ended puzzles that encourage thinking outside the box as you gradually master your abilities,” the studio’s official description for the game reads. “Get creative, exploring the possibilities of the mechanic and warping your environments into surreal Escheresque dreamscapes.

“The game is set within a colourful retrofuturistic utopia inspired by brutalism and impressionism. Uncover this world’s mysteries as you’re drawn into a story exploring themes of transhumanism and utopianism. Along your adventure discover bizarre illusions, interactive gadgets and hidden secrets.”

Indie studio Robot Turtle was founded by developer Matt Stark, who joined up with Gwen Foster and Callum Underwood from another studio, Robot Teddy, and former Lionhead Studios developer Georg Backer.

Matt Stark, game director at Robot Turtle, said: “We’re thrilled to have won – again! Thanks so much to everyone who voted for your continued support of Viewfinder, and to Europlay for giving a platform to some really exciting games.”