Ian Livingstone made CBE in New Year Honours

Storied British developer Ian Livingstone has been made a Commander of the British Empire in the New Year Honours list.

Livingstone is best known for his involvement in the video games industry. He founded Eidos, the publisher behind Tomb Raider, Deus Ex and many others, and has become a resounding advocate of industry.

More recently, his ongoing work with Government has led to significant change, the most high profile of which has been his Next Gen Skills Review, which was co-authored with Alex Hope. The review aimed to help give school leavers and graduates the right skills that will better prepare them for the UK’s video games and visual effects industries.

This year that review is being put into practice with a new ICT curriculum that puts computer science at its core.

Livingstone’s career began in 1970s when he launched Games Workshop – the makers of the tabletop franchise Warhammer – and White Dwarf, a magazine dedicated to the hobby. He edited the magazine for almost 75 issues, and the publication is still going today.

He then co-created the influential Fighting Fantasy book series, which received a new entry in 2012 – Blood of the Zombies – to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

This latest new honour coincides with Livingstone’s 63rd birthday. In 2006, he was presented with an OBE in the New Years Honours list.

A short time ago, Livingstone talked with Develop about his most memorable game experience and what he does outside of the industry.