How do you follow the game that made the world cry? It’s a question that’s haunted writer Graham Parkes ever since 2021’s Bafta-winning Before Your Eyes. Released during the height of lockdown, Parkes’ webcam-controlled yarn uses players’ blinks to fast-forward through protagonist Benny’s memories, blinking in and out of each uplifting and gut-wrenching moment of his existence. It quickly gained a reputation for being a Twitch tearjerker, its affecting tale and months of pandemic-fuelled misery creating a perfect, Kleenex-blowing storm. “As a writer, that has definitely been intimidating,” says Parkes, “I’m interested in using games to tell concise, emotional stories, but we can’t say that every single time we’re going to make you weep.”
Still, tears or no, things are already looking pretty promising for Before Your Eyes’ intriguing followup, Goodnight Universe. Developed by Nice Dream, an all-new studio formed by creators Graham Parkes and Oliver Lewin, Goodnight Universe has already won the 2024 game award at the Tribeca film festival, beating the brilliant Thank Goodness You’re Here! to the punch.
