Ian Livingstone

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Ian Livingstone (2006)

Ian Livingstone , CBE (born December 1949 in Manchester ) is a British fantasy writer and entrepreneur in the game and computer game industry. Together with Steve Jackson he has:

In addition, he worked as a computer game designer as early as 1985 and since then (especially from 1995) has been actively involved in the development of many computer games, most recently as creative director at Eidos Interactive . As a writer, he has written a number of Gamebooks in the Fighting Fantasy series, which he co-founded with Steve Jackson and whose books have sold over 15 million copies. He has received several awards for his services.

biography

As a child, Ian Livingstone enjoyed playing Warlords with his friend Steve Jackson . He studied strategy games extensively and wrote short articles for the little-known game fanzine Albion .

In 1973 Livingstone and Jackson moved from Manchester to London. As a marketing assistant for an oil company, Livingstone quickly became frustrated with his life. To distract himself, he continued to play a lot of games with roommates Steve Jackson and John Peake.

In 1975 the three living partners founded the Games Workshop, a company for the development and sale of innovative games. Due to a lack of funds, they ran their business from their small home. In order to increase awareness and attract customers, they published their own little magazine called Owl and Weasel . 200 copies were printed and distributed to all acquaintances. Somehow a copy of this magazine ended up in the USA and there in the hands of Gary Gygax . Gygax had just invented a new game that was very different from any previous game: Dungeons and Dragons . He sent it to the three Englishmen, who curiously began to play. Livingstone and Jackson loved it straight away. While they had previously focused on strategy and war games, they are now discovering the world of fantasy for adults. Peake couldn't share the interest and left the team. Livingstone and Jackson began mailing first editions of Dungeons and Dragons. It didn't take long before the first people wandered around on the street in front of the apartment and looked for the "Games Workshop", which they imagined as a shop and not as a small apartment. The success of the game exceeded all expectations.

In 1977 they published the new magazine White Dwarf . The first issue in June (4000 copies) was sold out after a short time. Motivated by this success, Livingstone and Jackson planned to open an official branch.

In 1978 the first real games workshop store was opened.

In 1981 the two friends developed a playbook together in a pub . The reader (or player) takes on the role of an adventurer. Equipped with all kinds of objects and “armed” with dice and pencil, you set off on your way. The entire book is divided into numbered sections. The reader starts with section 1 and is faced with a decision at the end of the short text. Depending on your choice, continue with another section. Ian and Steve wrote the gamebook The Warlock of Firetop Mountain , the first part of a series called Fighting Fantasy was. They closed a deal with the publisher Penguin , although Penguin did not believe it would be successful.

In 1982 The Warlock of Firetop Mountain was released . Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson promoted the book in their magazine. After a short time the entire first edition was sold and further orders were received. A second edition was printed, then a third and fourth, and finally, after a few months, the tenth edition was sold. Penguin realized that these books were a big seller and gave the authors the green light for many more publications. The books in the Fighting Fantasy series have sold over 15 million copies worldwide and have been the inspiration for countless other publications of this kind.

1994 - from May (until October 95) Ian Livingstone was manager of Domark Software Inc.

In 1995, Ian Livingstone became a member of the board of directors of the computer game publisher Eidos Interactive ( Tomb Raider ).

In 2000, Livingstone received an honorary doctorate in technology from the University of Abertay Dundee for his contribution to computer game evolution.

In April 2002 he became Creative Director at Eidos Interactive. In the same year he was honored by BAFTA ( British Academy of Film and Television Arts ) with the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Society.

After the acquisition of Eidos Interactive by SCi Entertainment in May 2005, Livingstone resigned from his position along with all other board members. In the following September, however, he was brought back to SCi as the only member of the former Eidos board and now occupies the role of “Product Acquisition Director” at Eidos.

In 2006 Livingstone was awarded the British Order of Merit Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) , the fourth level of the British Order of Knights . In 2012 he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) , the third tier of the Order.

bibliography

  • 1982: The Warlock of Firetop Mountain ( The Warlock of Firetop Mountain ) - together with Steve Jackson
  • 1983: The Forest of Darkness ( The Forest of Doom )
  • 1983: The City of Thieves ( City of Thieves )
  • 1984: The Island of the Lizard King ( Iceland of the Lizard King )
  • 1984: The caves of Snow Witch ( Caverns of the Snow Witch )
  • 1984: The Labyrinth of Death ( Deathtrap Dungeon )
  • 1984: The Talisman of Death ( Talisman of Death )
  • 1985: The Temple of Terror - with Steve Jackson
  • 1985: Freeway Fighter
  • 1985: Duel der Piraten ( Seas of Blood ) - together with Steve Jackson
  • 1986: Creature of Havoc - together with Steve Jackson
  • 1986: Demons of the Deep - with Steve Jackson
  • 1986: Sword of the Samurai - together with Steve Jackson
  • 1986: The competition of the Gladiators ( Trial of Champions )
  • 1987: Crypt of the Sorcerer
  • 1988: Armies of Death
  • 1992: Return to Firetop Mountain
  • 1992: Shadowmaster - together with Marc Gascoigne
  • 1993: Legend of Zagor
  • 1993: Zagor Chronicles: Firestorm - together with Carl Sargent
  • 1993: Zagor Chronicles: Darklord - together with Carl Sargent
  • 1994: Zagor Chronicles: Skullcrag - together with Carl Sargent
  • 1994: Zagor Chronicles: Demonlord - together with Carl Sargent

Ludography

  • Eureka!
    Computer game, published 1985 by Domark. Livingstone was responsible for the concept and design. It was Domark's first release.
  • Ian Livingstone's Deathtrap Dungeon
    computer game, published by Eidos Interactive in 1998. Livingstone developed the concept and the storyboard
  • Xenocracy
    computer game, published in 1998 by Grolier Interactive. Ian Livingstone was responsible for the music and sound effects
  • Warzone 2100
    computer game, published in 1999 by Eidos Interactive. Livingstone was a creative supporter .
  • Starlancer
    computer game, published by Microsoft in 2000 . Livingstone was responsible for the music and the sound effects (together with David Blinston)
  • Championship Manager: Season 00/01
    computer game, published by Eidos Interactive in 2000. Livingstone was executive producer .
  • Virtual Resort: Spring Break
    computer game, published in 2002 by Eidos Interactive. Livingstone developed the concept and the game design (together with Steve Beverley).
  • Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas
    computer game, published by Atari in 2003 . Livingstone was responsible for the music and the sound effects.

Web links

Commons : Ian Livingstone  - Collection of Images, Videos and Audio Files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Rachel Weber: Ian Livingstone awarded CBE. In: GamesIndustry.biz. January 2, 2013, accessed January 2, 2013 .
personal data
SURNAME Livingstone, Ian
BRIEF DESCRIPTION English entrepreneur and game designer
DATE OF BIRTH December 1949
PLACE OF BIRTH Manchester , England