UK Game Industry Veterans Rewarded In Queen's Honors

Author: by Staff

The Queen's New Year Honors list in the United Kingdom has honored several game industry veterans, including Championship Manager creators Oliver and Paul Collyer, Codemasters' Rod Cousens and ex-ELSPA head Paul Jackson, according to media reports. According to the official announcement made today and passed on by BBC News, Oliver and Paul Collyer were made Members of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition for their services to the UK's video game industry. The duo created the popular soccer simulation series Championship Manager, which debuted in 1992 for Amiga and Atari ST. Their company, Sports Interactive, has been making the Championship Manager and now Football Manager franchise for over 15 years. In addition, Electric Dreams and Acclaim veteran Rod Cousens, currently heading up UK game publisher Codemasters (Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising) was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for similar reasons. Finally, Electronic Arts veteran Paul Jackson was given the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the video game business over his career, including a long stint as head of UK game industry association ELSPA.