VD-Dev Games co-founder Fernando Velez has passed away

Fernando Velez, one half of the founding partnership behind VD-Dev Games, has died.

Velez teamed up with artist Guillaume Dubail to open the studio in 1990, with the initials of their respective surnames providing its name.

VD-Dev went on to develop driving-centric titles including V-Rally, Stuntman and Driv3r, as well as licensed titles based on Wacky Races and Looney Tunes. The developer is currently working on Rise: Race the Future, set for release later in 2016.

Velez worked on every project to pass through the outlet, beginning with 1993 Amiga game Jim Power.

The studio announced Velez’ death as a result of heart failure on its Facebook and Twitter accounts, describing his passing as “a tremendous loss for all of us and for the video game community”.

We are deeply saddened to announce that Fernando Velez passed away. This is a tremendous loss for all of us and for the video game community

— VD-dev (@VdDevGames) July 22, 2016