Sketchbook Games

Sketchbook Games is an independent game development studio based in Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom. Founded in 2016 by Mark Backler, it develops original games and provides co-development and work-for-hire support to other game teams. Its work focuses on atmospheric puzzle platformers and narrative-driven adventures, combining storytelling with mechanics that give players an active role in unfolding a story.

The studio’s debut title, Lost Words: Beyond the Page, explores a young girl’s diary alongside the fantasy world of Estoria. Players interact with written words to solve physical and environmental puzzles, connecting the game’s storytelling directly to its play. The project was developed in partnership with Fourth State, with an original story by Rhianna Pratchett and an orchestral score by David Housden. It first launched on Google Stadia in 2020 and subsequently reached PC, console and mobile platforms. Its recognition includes international awards and nominations and TIGA Games Industry Awards recognition.

Development and collaboration

Alongside its own intellectual property, Sketchbook Games helps external developers shape ideas and bring projects into production. Its commercial work includes game design, narrative sequence development, worldbuilding, mechanics prototyping, platform adaptation and technical optimization. Co-development arrangements also include sharing talent across disciplines to support another team’s production needs.

The studio’s technical capabilities span Unity and Unreal Engine 5, with experience delivering games across desktop, console and mobile platforms. This combination supports both original development and assistance with adapting existing projects for additional platforms.

New narrative experiences

The studio is developing an unannounced first-person narrative project using Unreal Engine 5. The project explores mental health, mindfulness and well-being, extending its interest in emotionally focused interactive storytelling beyond the format of its debut game.

Sketchbook Games combines a corporate and administrative base in Colchester with a distributed team working flexibly across the United Kingdom.