Codemasters Founders Honored by Queen
Codemasters Founders Honored by Queen
June 18, 2008
The founders of UK developer Codemasters have been honored by Queen Elizabeth II.
As reported by the BBC, David and Richard Darling were named Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for their "services to the computer games industry".
The brothers founded the firm as teens in 1986 (see pic at left) and exited in 2007. Among Codemasters' best-known titles are the Colin McRae Rally and Sensible Soccer series, as well as Lord of the Rings Online. Rod Cousens, who now runs the company, praised the Darling brothers:
[They are] one of the video game industry's great British success stories... Their drive and passion for creating the best in interactive entertainment will always be part of the industry's heritage and this recognition is well deserved.
GP: Codemasters has a fascinating history. Their Wikipedia entry is definitely worth a read.
Thanks to: GP correspondent Colin "Jabrwock" McInnes.
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LOGINGamePolitics ShoutBox
Posted 01/06/09 at 01:54pm
Derovius: What did you call my little sister?
Derovius: What did you call my little sister?
Posted 01/06/09 at 01:38pm
DeepThorn: 'Security' additions, which means it protects the music, which you bought, and have the right to use. It doesnt stop illegal activity, and even copying the music onto 2 back up CDs isnt illegal. Giving one to your little sister is border line.
DeepThorn: 'Security' additions, which means it protects the music, which you bought, and have the right to use. It doesnt stop illegal activity, and even copying the music onto 2 back up CDs isnt illegal. Giving one to your little sister is border line.
Posted 01/06/09 at 01:36pm
CK20XX: What's it gonna take for JT to get arrested? It'd be funny if it wasn't so sad.
CK20XX: What's it gonna take for JT to get arrested? It'd be funny if it wasn't so sad.
Posted 01/06/09 at 12:12pm
PHX Corp: Look on JAABLOG at his recent court filings he's starting to post pictures again http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DB5ODRNE
PHX Corp: Look on JAABLOG at his recent court filings he's starting to post pictures again http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DB5ODRNE
Posted 01/06/09 at 11:51am
CMiner: It's the same as the controversy over Sony's rootkits in their music CDs, as far as a separation of the issues of cd content and the security additions.
CMiner: It's the same as the controversy over Sony's rootkits in their music CDs, as far as a separation of the issues of cd content and the security additions.
Posted 01/06/09 at 11:27am
Vake Xeacons: But there does need to be a limit on DRM. I mean, CD check's okay, but spyware? That's an invasion of privacy!
Vake Xeacons: But there does need to be a limit on DRM. I mean, CD check's okay, but spyware? That's an invasion of privacy!
Posted 01/06/09 at 11:00am
Krono: @insanejedi: DRM isn't an aspect of the game. Unless you can make an argument that Securom is an intregal part of Spore that the game would be an incomplete experience without.
Krono: @insanejedi: DRM isn't an aspect of the game. Unless you can make an argument that Securom is an intregal part of Spore that the game would be an incomplete experience without.
Posted 01/06/09 at 10:57am
insanejedi: It's asking the government to regulate aspects of a game. Their just going to use this as a backdoor to regulate other aspects.
insanejedi: It's asking the government to regulate aspects of a game. Their just going to use this as a backdoor to regulate other aspects.
Posted 01/06/09 at 10:53am
Krono: @insanejedi: DRM = trade practice, Violence in games = speech. I'm not seeing the similarity here.
Krono: @insanejedi: DRM = trade practice, Violence in games = speech. I'm not seeing the similarity here.
Posted 01/06/09 at 10:40am
insanejedi: Guys, Regulation of DRM is fudementally the same as regulating violence in games...
insanejedi: Guys, Regulation of DRM is fudementally the same as regulating violence in games...
Posted 01/06/09 at 10:13am
sortableturnip: He's in full swing now, asking for all expenses paid by the Florida Bar.
sortableturnip: He's in full swing now, asking for all expenses paid by the Florida Bar.
Posted 01/06/09 at 09:51am
sortableturnip: @ Simonbob: isn't it better to read the comments, LOL wise?
sortableturnip: @ Simonbob: isn't it better to read the comments, LOL wise?
Posted 01/06/09 at 09:41am
SimonBob: You could've mentioned it's close to the bottom, although it's good to know he's actually got an okay golf swing.
SimonBob: You could've mentioned it's close to the bottom, although it's good to know he's actually got an okay golf swing.
Posted 01/06/09 at 09:41am
PHX Corp: @Sourtable T JT's brain acts like a cookoo clock, It never stops Cookooing
PHX Corp: @Sourtable T JT's brain acts like a cookoo clock, It never stops Cookooing
Posted 01/06/09 at 09:23am
sortableturnip: In his latest filing, JT claims he is still admitted to practice as an attorney in the Southern District of Florida: http://jaablog.jaablaw.com/2007/09/04/pardon-our-appearance.aspx?pg=3&view=threaded
sortableturnip: In his latest filing, JT claims he is still admitted to practice as an attorney in the Southern District of Florida: http://jaablog.jaablaw.com/2007/09/04/pardon-our-appearance.aspx?pg=3&view=threaded
Posted 01/06/09 at 09:13am
SimonBob: Or the falsified usernames of gaming company CEOs. :P
SimonBob: Or the falsified usernames of gaming company CEOs. :P
Posted 01/06/09 at 09:07am
Alevan: Yeah, he doesn't use the shoutbox... then again, he doesn't like to confront his problems head on. He hides behind the "law"
Alevan: Yeah, he doesn't use the shoutbox... then again, he doesn't like to confront his problems head on. He hides behind the "law"
Posted 01/06/09 at 09:05am
SimonBob: It's funny, Alevan, I've never seen him respond to anything in the shoutbox. I think he's got tunnel vision.
SimonBob: It's funny, Alevan, I've never seen him respond to anything in the shoutbox. I think he's got tunnel vision.
Posted 01/06/09 at 09:05am
DeepThorn: I think he just likes the attention.
DeepThorn: I think he just likes the attention.
Posted 01/06/09 at 09:04am
Alevan: Y'know... If your gonna RickRoll JT, wouldn't it best to speak of it privately? I mean... doesn't JT read GP? He'd know.
Alevan: Y'know... If your gonna RickRoll JT, wouldn't it best to speak of it privately? I mean... doesn't JT read GP? He'd know.
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Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Comments
I thought that the CBE designation was for non-British citizens only. Still, good job on their part.
Just curious, do you get anything for being knighted? A sword, perhaps?
Well you'd at least get the right to say "That's SIR to the likes of you, lowly peon!"
If nothing else, these guys are one of the reasons england was so highly respected back in the 8bit era
It's worth noting that Lord of the Rings Online is a Codemasters title in the same sense that Oblivion is an Ubisoft title--publication only, not development. LotRO is published by Codemasters in the UK, but it was developed by Turbine. In the US, it was published by Midway.
This is good news in a line of good news. First Grid has gotten good reviews and now this... Things are looking up for CodeMasters.
It's all about Micro-Machines and Dizzy tbh.
Not to mention Fruit Machine Simulator ;)
Pro BMX simulator was the best game they ever made. Well that or Operation Flashpoint, slightly different target audience...
Is this the subthread for the tape deck wrinklies, then? Let us show our respect for the Codies with a three and a half minute BWOOWEEOOOeeeeee fanfare.
Or sing the ZX Spectrum loading song...
NyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeDIP!
Nyeeeeeee...Diddleiddleiddleiddle!
Hmm.. When I think of 2 brothers working for Codemasters I immediately think of the Oliver Twins who wrote all the Dizzy games back in the day. Have to say I'm never heard of this pair.
Dennis:
Further to my thoughts on this, Sensible Soccer was written by Sensible Software, which to my recollection did Wizball, Wizkid, Cannon fodder and other such games on the Amiga. The front two for those games were Jon Hare and Chris something-or-other. These games were out ages before the company got sold, so probably not really fair to claim it as a Codemaster's title.
Goes to show if you can make bad games for 10+ eyars you will be knighted...i guess they still hand out darkknight awards....
I is fuzzy brained mew
http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
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OMG! I love that picture! It's been ages since I've seen a Commodore 64.
-Loudspeaker
"Volume helps to get a point across but sharp teeth are better."
When I first saw the headline I thought that it was talking about the band Queen.
But I guess this is pretty okay too.
What a coincidence! I just recently managed to get a copy of one of the Dizzy games. Neat.
Dude, I thought they broke up years ago.
Oh. The Queen.
My hats go off to those two. They have made some of the best simulators I have ever played and one of them is OFP which is the best military game next to ArmA: Armed Assault I have ever played.
Rockstar Ate My Hamster, Micro Machines, and Cosmic Spacehead