Mark Backler

Founder @GamesSketchbook & @The_FourthState. Developed multi-award winning @LostWordsGame. @GameAnglia Ex Ukie board, Lionhead, Kuju, EA & Sony

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

@_ShaneGill_ Great to meet you at The New Wolsey last night!

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

The next Game Anglia Festival is happening on the 6th Feb 2026! https://t.co/sSH0AH2uXE

[Jeremy Ray @TheJunglist]

I asked Tracy Fullerton - author of The Well-Read Game - which games were best to learn "aesthetic readings," bringing ourselves fully to games as art.

She didn't even have to think: @UnpackingALife and @LostWordsGame

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

🎨 We're hiring!
🎮 At Sketchbook Games, we're looking for a Technical Artist / Unreal Developer to join our team.

Find out more and apply here: https://t.co/OhkcvaXBUt

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

The next Suffolk Game Developers Meetup is @ UOS on the 20th November! 🕹️https://t.co/yhA9gA9VH9

[Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder]

Rest in peace, Patricia Routledge 🙏🏻

In memory of her, I encourage everyone to read these words of hers from February last year.

Whether young or old, you're bound to get something out of it.

*****

"I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. In my younger years, I was often filled with worry — worry that I wasn’t quite good enough, that no one would cast me again, that I wouldn’t live up to my mother’s hopes. But these days begin in peace, and end in gratitude.

My life didn’t quite take shape until my forties. I had worked steadily — on provincial stages, in radio plays, in West End productions — but I often felt adrift, as though I was searching for a home within myself that I hadn’t quite found.

At 50, I accepted a television role that many would later associate me with — Hyacinth Bucket, of Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would be a small part in a little series. I never imagined that it would take me into people’s living rooms and hearts around the world. And truthfully, that role taught me to accept my own quirks. It healed something in me.

At 60, I began learning Italian — not for work, but so I could sing opera in its native language. I also learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. I read poetry aloud each evening, not to perfect my diction, but to quiet my soul.

At 70, I returned to the Shakespearean stage — something I once believed I had aged out of. But this time, I had nothing to prove. I stood on those boards with stillness, and audiences felt that. I was no longer performing. I was simply being.

At 80, I took up watercolour painting. I painted flowers from my garden, old hats from my youth, and faces I remembered from the London Underground. Each painting was a quiet memory made visible.

Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning to bake rye bread. I still breathe deeply every morning. I still adore laughter — though I no longer try to make anyone laugh. I love the quiet more than ever.

I’m writing this to tell you something simple:

Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter — if you let yourself bloom again.

Let these years ahead be your TREASURE YEARS.

You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be flawless.

You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours.

With love and gentleness,

Patricia Routledge

*****

Once more, rest in peace. 🤍

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

The next Suffolk Game Developers Meetup is September 25th @ UOS at 7pm https://t.co/R9ryBX95ka

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

@playasia How can I unsubscribe from your mailing list? All my settings are set to off and I'm still receiving regular promotional emails from you?

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

Next Suffolk Game Developer meetup is Wednesday 23rd July https://t.co/sSRA7DjVoG

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

Sign up here! https://t.co/vXXLX0vTFd

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

Free afternoon event for creatives from across the East interested in growing their creative business/ practice. Open to freelancers, CIC’s, Charities, and businesses. Featuring workshops, hands-on support, tools & funding panel w/ insights into grants, investment & alt finance

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

My friend's nephew, @RossBrooks_, is looking to get into 2D / concept art if anyone is looking to hire a junior at the moment https://t.co/edRapATIK8

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

The next Suffolk Game Developers Meetup is 15th May @ UOS https://t.co/2Zb5gFQj6p

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

This Wednesday it's the Suffolk Game Developer Meetup as part of #IpswichThrive #BusinessWeek2025. We'll have a talk from @ukiesam and some free nibbles courtesy of sponsorship from Ipswich Borough Council!
https://t.co/d3FhmT8b22

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

Looking forward to the Suffolk Game Developer Meetup on the 12th which will be part of #IpswichThrive Business Week https://t.co/WVMHFaASeK

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

Looking forward to the Ipswich and Suffolk Game Dev meetup tomorrow evening! 🎮

We'll start with some informal networking at 7pm at the University of Suffolk and then have a panel about game jams and hackathons.
Hope to see you there! https://t.co/E5qy1zVUYs

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

Looking forward to the Ipswich and Suffolk Game Dev meetup tomorrow evening! 🎮 We'll have some informal networking and a panel on game jams and hackathons https://t.co/E5qy1zVUYs

[David Housden @DavidJHousden]

Had the pleasure of seeing @lvgorchestra perform a suite from @LostWordsGame as part of their Homegrown concert, highlighting the work of British composers!

An amazing evening & a privilege to be included on such a great bill 🙏 Huge thanks to @EvanRMusic for the orchestration!

[David Housden @DavidJHousden]

Very excited to be having a suite from @LostWordsGame being performed by the wonderful @lvgorchestra here this weekend!

[Mark Backler @MarkBackler]

Looking forward to the brilliant @StephanieDarra4 speaking tomorrow on tips for pitching to indie game publishers and effectively planning and budgeting indie projects ✨

We'll also have Danny from @TeamDuckySnacks showcasing some cool mocap technology! https://t.co/lwnsfJSBmA