Ian Livingstone, a UK gaming industry veteran, has received a Knighthood from the Queen of England on the 2022 New Year’s Honours List. Sir Ian received this honour for his many contributions to the gaming industry.
More than a simple game designer, Livingstone is the co-founder of Games Workshop and bestselling author of the Fighting Fantasy series. Games Workshop is a miniature wargames manufacturer. The England-based company is best known for the Warhammer series. Livingstone is, in some circles, best known for authoring the Fighting Fantasy series alongside Steve Jackson. The series are Choose-Your-Own-Adventure books with Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying elements.
Sir Ian Livingstone also wrote the story for the text adventure game Eureka! which was released in 1984 by publisher Domark. However, in lieu of royalties, Livingstone chose to receive stock in the company. Later, Domark and other game companies came together to create Eidos. This would later lead to his involvement in the development of the original Tomb Raider titles. He has remained involved in the scene since, moving through several senior and C-level roles in the time since.
Livingstone’s Gaming Investments
A founding partner of Hiro Capital these days, Livingstone invests in indie game development teams. Currently, he is a member of the board of multiple small game design companies, including Flavourworks, Fusebox, and Sumo Group plc. Despite nearly half a century in the industry, Livingstone has no plans to retire anytime soon.
“Being a lifelong games player, it has been a privilege to work in the games industry for almost 45 years. Work and play have been the same for me, and I’m never going to retire.” Livingstone told VGC in a 2019 interview.
Another member of the gaming industry to be honoured according to the 2022 New Year’s Honours List, Paul Durrant, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Durrant is the founder of UK Games Talent and Finance CIC. Livingstone received his own OBE back in 2006.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
