MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Tim and Chris Stamper will be jointly named as this year’s Development Legends at the Develop Industry Excellence Awards on the night of July 15th.
The video games icons join an elite few who have picked up the prestigious accolade over the years. Previous recipients include the likes of Mark Cerny, Tim Sweeney, Mark Rein, David Perry, Peter Molyneux, David Braben, Charles Cecil, Phil Harrison and Ian Livingstone.
The award acknowledges The Stampers’ significant heritage of games developed throughout their impressive career. They are celebrated for their multi-skilled game design and technical abilities, and share credits on over 100 games – an unrivalled legacy.
They started in the video games industry in 1979, at the height of the coin-op boom, developing concepts on Space Invader and Galaxian boards, including titles such as Saturn, Vortex and BluePrint.
Ashby Computers and Graphics Ltd was formed in 1982, publishing games under the Ultimate Play The Game label for 8-bit consoles – with legendary first releases including JetPac, SabreWulf and KnightLore. In 1985, they co-founded a new company, Rare Ltd which became a key ally of Nintendo’s, producing acclaimed, platform-defining hits such as Battletoads, Donkey Kong Country, GoldenEye 007, Perfect Dark and Conker’s Bad Fur Day.
In 2002, Microsoft division bought Rare for $375m – at the time the highest value studio acquisition on record. It was instantly a key part of the Xbox first-party network, producing memorable games such as Viva Piñata.
Tim and Chris left Rare in 2007 for now opportunities, with Tim most recently co-founding a new UK team called FortuneFish.
Tim will collect the award in person, on behalf of both brothers, at the Develop Awards 2015 in Brighton on the night of Wednesday, July 15th.
“Tim and Chris are the ultimate games development legends,” said Develop’s publisher Michael French.
“Although we herald a modern era of self-published games from small teams, Rare under the guidance of The Stampers set this trend back in the early 1980s. More importantly: all of their creations champion and focus on fun, enjoyment and memorable characters – laughing in the face of business models or the demands of gritty triple–A games. We look forward to presenting this award to them and celebrating this legacy on July 15th.”
The Develop Awards take place at the Brighton Metropole Hilton Hotel. The event honours the achievements and efforts in the last year by European games studios, global technology partners and hardworking services companies. It runs alongside the Develop: Brighton conference.
The finalists for the awards can be found here with 137 companies and 47 games in the running to win one of 20 accolades including New IP, In-House Studio, and Technology Provider.
You can book a place at the event by contacting khumphrey@nbmedia.com or calling 01992 535 646 – alternatively head to www.developawards.com/buy-tickets
Develop Awards partners include Amiqus, Ukie and Unity (Gold Parnters), Keywords Studios (Exclusive Drinks Reception Partner), Iconic Future (Award Partner), OPM (Table Gift Partner) and Green Man Loaded, Localise Direct, Universally Speaking and the Develop Conference in Brighton (Event Partners). For more information on the sponsorship and partnership opportunities still available, contact cnangle@nbmedia.com or call 01992 535 647.
