Viewfinder (video game)
{{Short description|2023 video game}}
{{mdy|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Viewfinder
| image = Viewfinder_video_game_cover.png
| alt =
| developer = Sad Owl Studios
| publisher = Thunderful Publishing
| series =
| engine = Unity{{cite web|url=https://blog.unity.com/games/made-with-unity-2023-review|title=Made with Unity: 2023 in review|work=Unity Technologies|last1=Saver|first1=Michael|last2=Pung|first2=Julia|last3=Stanton|first3=Devon|date=2024-01-04|accessdate=2024-01-13}}
| platforms = PlayStation 5, Windows, PlayStation 4
| released = {{ubl|PlayStation 5, Windows|July 18, 2023|PlayStation 4|December 12, 2023}}
| genre = Puzzle, photography
| modes = Single player
}}
Viewfinder is a puzzle video game developed by Sad Owl Studios and published by Thunderful Publishing. The game was released for PlayStation 5 and Windows in July 2023.
Viewfinder received generally positive reviews from critics.
Gameplay
Viewfinder is based on mapping the images contained in photographs or other two-dimension works onto the three-dimensional space of the game's world, creating new geometries and layouts. These are used to solve puzzles and access teleporter devices at the end of each level. The player may be required to power the teleporter using batteries, or activation of other power devices, before using the teleport. The player later gains a Polaroid-style camera, and can use images taken in the same manner as other photographs.
Story
The game is presented as part of a simulation used by a handful of researchers that were using the space to try to discover the means to revitalize plant life on Earth, as in the real world, all flora has been wiped out leaving the world without a viable source of oxygen. The player character, who works with a partner in the real world, explores the simulation, working through the puzzles, to try to find clues of the research that was being done, with the help of an artificial intelligence cheshire cat named Cait. The player-character finds that the scientists had failed in their grand experiment, and must force the simulated world to shutdown in order to leave the simulation, destroying the past work. However, as they leave, they encounter a seedling, which they still possess when they leave the simulation, giving hope for Earth's future.
Development
{{external media|float=right|width=250px|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ran_yU65Xmg January 2020 demonstration video of the Polaroid Effect]}}
Viewfinder started off as an experiment by indie game developer Matt Stark around November 2019. Stark posted a video to social media showing the ability to dynamically take a photograph in a game world and then place that photo to overwrite the world with the contents of the photo. At the time, while the player could explore the placed area from the photo, they could not interact with objects within that world. Later in January 2020, Stark was able to show the ability to interact with items within the photo, as well as using multiple photos. This initial work drew attention across social media, leading Stark to begin considering a game that utilized the "Polaroid Effect" as he called it.{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/take-a-picture-then-walk-into-it-in-this-must-see-game-tech-experiment/ | title = Take a picture, then walk into it, in this must-see game tech experiment | first = Jonathan |last =Bolding | date = January 4, 2020 | accessdate = July 28, 2023 | work = PC Gamer }}
By June 2021, Stark had developed the basis of Viewfinder to establish a studio, Robot Turtle, to build out the game, along with support from another game developer, Robot Teddy.{{cite web | url = https://mcvuk.com/development-news/uk-based-robot-turtle-wins-europlay-2021-with-viewfinder/ | title = UK-based Robot Turtle wins Europlay 2021 with Viewfinder | first = Chris | last = Wallace | date = August 21, 2021 | accessdate = July 28, 2023 | work = MCV }} The team took influence from other puzzle games such as Portal, including the means that Portal used to slowly introduce new mechanics to the player.
At the same time, they did not want to make the Polaroid Effect too gimmicky and instead have a more cohesive experience for the player.{{cite web | url = https://mcvuk.com/business-news/picture-perfect-behind-the-scenes-of-the-europlay-winning-upcoming-game-viewfinder/ | title = Picture Perfect: Behind the scenes of the Europlay-winning, upcoming game Viewfinder | first = Chris | last = Wallace | date = September 23, 2023 | accessdate = July 28, 2023 | work = MCV }}{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/viewfinders-mind-bending-photography-puzzles-are-shaping-up-nicely/ | title = Viewfinder's mind-bending photography puzzles are shaping up nicely | first = Natalie | last = Clayton | date = June 2, 2021 | accessdate = July 28, 2023 | work = PC Gamer }}
Robot Teddy was acquired by Thunderful Publishing in October 2021, leading to Thunderful to provide publishing support for Viewfinder.{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesindustry.biz/robot-teddy-acquisition-and-new-investment-arm-make-thunderful-a-360-degree-games-firm | title = Robot Teddy acquisition and new investment arm make Thunderful "a 360-degree" games firm | first = James | last =Batchelor | date = November 4, 2021 | accessdate = July 28, 2023 | work = GamesIndustry.biz }} During this transition, Robot Turtle was renamed to Sad Owl Studios.
The game was formally announced for a 2023 release on PlayStation 5 and Windows at The Game Awards 2022.{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/everything-announced-at-the-game-awards-2022 | title = Everything announced at The Game Awards 2022 | first = Wesley | last = Yin-Poole | date = December 4, 2022 | accessdate = July 28, 2023 | work = Eurogamer }} Viewfinder was released for PlayStation 5 and Windows on July 18, 2023,{{Cite web |date=2023-06-08 |title=Viewfinder launches July 18 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/06/viewfinder-launches-july-18 |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}} and for PlayStation 4 on December 12, 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=Viewfinder now available for PS4 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/12/viewfinder-now-available-for-ps4 |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = (PC) 84/100{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/viewfinder/critic-reviews/?platform=pc | title = Viewfinder (PC) | publisher = Metacritic | accessdate = July 28, 2023 }}
(PS5) 82/100{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/viewfinder/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 | title = Viewfinder (PS5) | publisher = Metacritic | accessdate = July 28, 2023 }}
| EZA = 8.5/10{{Cite web |url=https://easyallies.com/#!/review/viewfinder |title=Review: Viewfinder |date=2023-07-17 |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=Easy Allies |last=Bloodworth |first=Daniel}}
| GI = 8.25/10{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/viewfinder/short-and-smart |title=Viewfinder Review |date=2023-07-17 |access-date=2023-10-15 |magazine=Game Informer |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917205119/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/viewfinder/short-and-smart |archive-date=2023-09-17 |url-status=live}}
| GSpot = 9/10{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/viewfinder-review-one-perfect-shot/1900-6418089/ |title=Viewfinder Review - One Perfect Shot |date=2023-07-17 |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=GameSpot |last=Barbosa |first=Alessandro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816151216/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/viewfinder-review-one-perfect-shot/1900-6418089/ |archive-date=2023-08-16 |url-status=live}}
| GRadar = {{rating|5|5}}{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesradar.com/viewfinder-review/ | title = Viewfinder review: "A breath of fresh air" | first = Joe | last =Donnelly | date = July 17, 2023 | accessdate = July 28, 2023 | website = GamesRadar+ }}
| HC = 85/100{{Cite web |url=https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reviews/analisis-viewfinder-ps5-ps4-pc-1276462 |title=Análisis de Viewfinder, una de las sorpresas del año que juega con la fotografía y la perspectiva como nunca has visto |date=2023-07-17 |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=Hobby Consolas |last=Lloret |first=Alberto |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819180354/https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reviews/analisis-viewfinder-ps5-ps4-pc-1276462 |archive-date=2023-08-19 |url-status=live |language=Spanish}}
| IGN = 8/10{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/viewfinder-review | title= Viewfinder Review | first = Tristan | last = Ogilvie | date = July 17, 2023 | accessdate = July 28, 2023 | website = IGN }}
| PCGUS = 87/100{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/viewfinder-review/ | title = Viewfinder Review | first = Robin | last = Valentine | date = July 17, 2023 | accessdate = July 28, 2023 | website = PC Gamer }}
| Poly = Recommended{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23792429/viewfinder-review-best-puzzle-games | title = Viewfinder is puzzle game heaven | first = Grayson | last = Morley | date = July 17, 2023 | accessdate = July 28, 2023 | website = Polygon }}
| PSQ = {{rating|7|10}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/viewfinder |title=Mini Review: Viewfinder (PS5) - Unique Puzzler Is a Snapshot of Great Puzzling Potential |date=2023-07-17 |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Push Square |last=Tailby |first=Stephen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720102127/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/ps5/viewfinder |archive-date=2023-07-20 |url-status=live}}
| SN = 9/10{{Cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/136279/viewfinder-review-score |title=Viewfinder review: Now you're thinking with photos |date=2023-07-17 |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=Shacknews |last=Bell |first=Larryn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728005531/https://www.shacknews.com/article/136279/viewfinder-review-score |archive-date=2023-07-28 |url-status=live}}
| TG = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/games/2023/jul/17/viewfinder-review-sad-owl-thunderful | title = Viewfinder review – the magic of stepping into a picture | first = Lewis | last = Packwood | date = July 17, 2023 | accessdate = July 28, 2023 | website = The Guardian }}
}}
{{Expand section|date=October 2023}}
Prior to release, Viewfinder won the UKIE UK Game of the Show held at the 2021 Gamescom.{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/viewfinder-wins-ukies-uk-game-of-the-show-award/ | title = Viewfinder wins UKIE's UK Game of the Show award | first = Chris | last = Scullion | date = August 25, 2021 | accessdate= July 28, 2023 | website = Video Games Chronicle }}
Viewfinder has received "generally favorable reviews" according to review score aggregator Metacritic.
Critics generally praised the puzzle mechanic but considered the game to be on the short side.
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References
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