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Game Art
A B O U T T H E J U R O R
BEN SPROUT
Ben Sprout is an Art Director at Guerrilla Games, a first-party studio backed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, known for delivering some of the most cutting-edge visual experiences in the industry.
As a 2003 Ringling graduate, Ben began his career over 20 years ago at Retro Studios as a world artist on the Metroid Prime series. He has since become a leader in environment art and world-building, with expertise in architecture, composition, and visual storytelling for interactive worlds.
At Guerrilla Games, Ben has shaped the visual identity of Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West, creating culturally grounded environments that enhance both gameplay and narrative. The Horizon franchise ranks among PlayStation's most successful new first-party IPs.
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I grew up in Sarasota dreaming about going to Ringling and from 1999-2003 I majored in Computer Animation and oversaw the F.E.W.S. student-run life drawing club. In 2004 I started my first full-time job as a World Artist at Retro Studios in Austin, TX. Working on Metroid Prime 2 and 3 was a dream job, but in 2008 wanderlust brought me to Guerrilla Games in Amsterdam. I’ve stayed there ever since, working on the cutting-edge graphics for Playstation franchises like Killzone and Horizon. I’ve been very fortunate with my career and it’s an honor to be able to give back to Ringling and be a juror for this year’s Best of Ringling - Game Art.
W I N N E R S
President Award
Brian Kim & JOSH TANG
Kodama
President Award
Ava Demers
Threshold
Gold Juror’s Award
Anni Zhang & YuQi Zhang
Twinkle
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The polished presentation of this charming fairy-tale setting grabbed my attention. I’m instantly intrigued by the lamb doll character and gameplay, and the overall quality of the art, lighting and effects. The designs of everything are harmonious and aesthetic, with a nice variety of materials and subtle placement of props all grounding this place in believability and a sense of wonder. I love how there is a nice balance of organic shapes so that the room does not feel too boxy, and how the layout gives focus to the set pieces.
Silver Juror’s Award
Azure Heck
Acherontia
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The consistent quality of the realistic environment art and the attention to detail in this project stand out to me. Very nice lighting and material expression. The rich set dressing and music give it a somber mood and nice pacing leading up to the final reveal shot which I found very well done and surprising. It made me rewatch this several times looking for more hints in the storytelling and imagining what kind of game this could be. Two details that stood out to me are the oil/ scuff marks left by human hands visible in the specular highlights of the varnish on the corner column framing the stairs, and the way the stained glass casts a colorful light onto the stairwell.
Bronze Juror’s Award
Cris MuRong & Taron Sohn
Primordial Paradox
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I appreciate the minimalist yet visually striking compositions in this project’s shots. You’ve created a world with some fun elements to play with. The camera moves along with nice pacing to the soundtrack showing off the various environments, and this evokes a mood reminiscent of games like Journey, Cocoon and the Last Gaurdian, so I’m interested in finding out more about it and if the gameplay is along those lines.
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Game Art
Department Awards
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Ava Demers
MOST OUTSTANDING SENIOR
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Brian Kim
MOST OUTSTANDING JUNIOR
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Catalina Levin
MOST OUTSTANDING SOPHOMORE
Best Art Direction
Xinai Xiao
The Red Glacier
Best Environmental Storytelling
Anni Zhang & YuQi Zhang
Twinkle
Best Game Mechanic
Catherine Wang
PaintWalker
Best Character Design
Taron Sohn
Havoa - Seeker of Dawn
Best Whiz Bang
Siyuan Zhou
Veilwood
Best Animation
Alexei Gill-Chancy
Flight Test
Best Lighting and Atmospherics
Ava Demers
Threshold
Best Tester