Oliver Twins

The Oliver Twins are two British brothers, Philip and Andrew Oliver known for their work as video game developers. They began to professionally develop computer games while they were still at school, contributing their first type-in game to a magazine in 1983. They worked with publishers Codemasters for a number of years following their first collaboration Super Robin Hood, most notably creating the Dizzy series of games and many of Codemasters popular Simulator Series. At one point during the 1980s it was reported that 7% of all UK games sales were attributable to the Oliver Twins. In 1990 they founded Interactive Studios which later became Blitz Games Studios. In October 2013 they founded Radiant Worlds,[1] based in Leamington Spa, UK, with long time friend and colleague Richard Smithies.

Overview

Philip and Andrew Oliver first began programming computer games while at school (Clarendon School in Trowbridge[2] ), having their first game published as written code in Computer and Video Games magazine in 1983.[3] Their first full release game, Super Robin Hood for the Amstrad CPC, was published in 1985 by Codemasters.

The Codemasters publishing relationship led to the origin of the Dizzy series and the Simulator series. Whilst with Codemasters, they were responsible for over 10 UK number one best sellers and over 3 million sales.[4] In 1986, it was reported that an estimated 7% of all UK games sales were attributable to the Oliver Twins.[4]

In 1990, at the age of 22, they started Interactive Studios, now called Blitz Games Studios.[5] Apart from their own games, the Oliver Twins were also responsible for porting a number of other prominent games to the Sega platforms, including Theme Park and Syndicate. In October 2013 they founded Radiant Worlds,[1] based in Leamington Spa, UK, with long time friend and colleague Richard Smithies to develop SkySaga for Korean based Smilegate. SkySaga is an ambitious online voxel based game based on an original concept by Philip Oliver developed during his Christmas 2011 holidays.

Both of the Olivers take an active role in supporting the UK games industry. Philip Oliver is one of the founders of developers' trade body TIGA and has served as an active board member (currently a Director) since its inception in 2001.[6] He is also a Director on the board for e-skills UK.[7]

The brothers received Honorary Doctorates in 2008 from Coventry University (in Business Administration (DBA) and Technology (DTech) for Philip and Andrew respectively) in recognition of their contribution to the growth of the electronic games industry both regionally and internationally,[5] and were honoured as Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts in 2010.[8]

After Philip attended the launch of the UK Government's Next Gen Report (also known as the Livingstone-Hope Report) in February 2011 about challenges faced by the UK Games industry, he established Made in Creative UK [9] which with Andrew they run as a not for profit campaign to raise awareness of the world class game developers and digital creatives developers based in the UK. The campaign has over 350 supporting companies and many high profile supporters including Sajid Javid MP (Culture Secretary & Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills) [10]

Games created or published by Complex Software/Interactive Studios/Blitz Games Studios/Radiant Worlds

Games published by Codemasters

References

  1. 1 2 Develop
  2. ↑ Clarendon School in Trowbridge
  3. ↑ http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/ukbased-blitz-games-studios-to-close-after-23-years-8814834.html
  4. 1 2 with the Oliver Twins from GIGnews.com
  5. 1 2 Lockley, Greg (16 August 2013). "Blitz Games Studios founders honoured by Coventry University". Mcvuk.com. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  6. ↑ "News Article". TIGA. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  7. ↑ "House of Commons – Education Committee: Written evidence submitted by E-Skills UK". Publications.parliament.uk. 2 July 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  8. ↑ Richardson, Richardson (20 May 2010). "Royal Society of Arts welcomes Blitz studio heads to its ranks". Develop. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  9. ↑ "MadeinCreativeUK.com". website. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  10. ↑ "News Article". Develop. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  11. ↑ Develop Online News Story
  12. ↑ LarryZ. (26 December 2007). "SpongeBob SquarePants: Underpants Slam! for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 13 September 2013.

External links

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