A former art-loving Spalding Grammar School student has celebrated his first video game’s launch on the Nintendo Switch.
Illustrator and designer Seb Burnett (40) last month enjoyed a milestone in any game designer’s life when the comedy adventure series launched globally on the Nintendo Switch store.
The Adventures of Bertram Fiddle: A Bleaker Predicklement has already enjoyed success on PC game platform Steam and mobile devices, and has been launched on Nintendo’s flagship Switch console.
“We originally designed the game for iPads and tablets and then realised it worked really well on PCs. The Switch version is exciting because you can play it in hand-held mode or on the big screen, which makes it look amazing!,” said Seb, who runs his company Rumpus Animation in Bristol and still visits Spalding regularly to see his mother.
A classic point-and-click adventure, The Adventures of Bertram Fiddle has been celebrated around the world, with YouTubers running play-throughs and a Japanese edition getting attraction in that country’s games press.
Seb said his main work is as an illustrator for the likes of Usbourne sticker books and CBBC, and his love of illustration was nurtured during his time in Spalding.
“I was taught art by [Spalding Grammar School teacher] Mrs Livingstone, who was a big influence on me,” Seb said.
“She really encouraged my drawing and pushed me to keep trying new things, so I have a lot to thank her for.”
Seb said he would also spend Wednesday evenings at the Gleed School for further art lessons.
“I also used to go to Mo Teeuw’s Watercolour Classes held at the Gleed School and those really helped me learn traditional painting techniques.”
For Bertram Fiddle, Seb’s artistic flair combined with his love of old British film and literature. “The idea for a hapless Victorian explorer grew from my love of Victorian stories, Sherlock Holmes and Hammer Horror films.
“Originally we wanted to make a TV show but, when we realised we could make a point and click game and make the adventures interactive, it seemed like an even better way to make his world come alive.”
There is still a TV tie to the game, though. Seb met with fellow Bristol production company Aardman Animations (of Wallace and Gromit fame) in the early stages and they retained links.
Seb said: “We didn’t start making games until 2014, but still work with a lot of people we make animations with.
“The voice of Bertram Fiddle is actually the person who does all the Baa’s on Aardman’s Timmy Time show!”
Overall though, the name of the game is fun.
“The Adventures of Bertram Fiddle has built up a bit of a cult following.
“Gamers who, like me, used to play the Lucas arts games really like it because of the nostalgia, but it is also aimed at casual gamers who just want to enjoy a relaxing and quite silly story. It’s kind of like an interactive Cartoon Network show, in a way.”
Episodes 1 and 2 are available now on eShop, Steam and mobile.
