David Braben: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{DeveloperInfobox | ||
| | | born = 2 January 1964 | ||
| occupation = Founder and CEO of [[Frontier Developments]], game designer, video game developer | | occupation = Founder and CEO of [[Frontier Developments]], game designer, video game developer | ||
| | | title = CEO of Frontier Developments | ||
| | | nationality = British | ||
| image1 = David-Braben-Elite-Frontier.png | |||
| spouse(s) = Katharin Dickinson (m. 1993)<br/>Wendy Irvin-Braben (m. 2014) | |||
| children = 3 | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''David John Braben''', [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_British_Empire OBE], is a British game developer, game designer and game programmer. Braben is best known for creating the [[Elite series]]. He co-developed the original [[Elite]] with [[Ian Bell]] in 1984. He is the founder and CEO of [[Frontier Developments]] since January 1994. He's also a co-founder of and works as a trustee for the Raspberry Pi Foundation which in 2012 launched a low-cost computer for education.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontier_Developments Wikipedia: Frontier Developments]</ref><ref name=":1" /> | |||
Braben attended Buckhurst Hill County High School in Chigwell in Essex.<ref>[https://www.newstatesman.com/science-tech/technology/2017/02/life-pi-0 New Statesman: The life of Pi]</ref> He studied Natural Sciences at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_College,_Cambridge Jesus College, Cambridge] and specialized in Electrical Science in his final year.<ref>http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/1050/david-braben/</ref> He is the recipient of three honorary doctorates from Abertay University (2013), The Open University (2014), and York University (15 July 2015). | |||
Braben is a Fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Engineering and Technology. He sits on the BAFTA Games Board. Braben also chairs the Government Skillset board for approval of University courses.<ref name=":2">https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2015/events/honorary-graduates-july-2015/</ref> | Braben is a Fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Engineering and Technology. He sits on the BAFTA Games Board. Braben also chairs the Government Skillset board for approval of University courses.<ref name=":2">https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2015/events/honorary-graduates-july-2015/</ref> | ||
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==== Development Legend Award ==== | ==== Development Legend Award ==== | ||
On 5 September 2005, Braben received the Development Legend Award at | On 5 September 2005, Braben received the Development Legend Award at the Develop Industry Excellence Awards in Cambridge.<ref>http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,1003/</ref> | ||
==== Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering ==== | ==== Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering ==== | ||
In 2012, Braben was elected as | In 2012, Braben was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.<ref>http://www.theiet.org/membership/member-news/30a/raeng-fellows.cfm</ref> | ||
==== Tech Personality of the Year ==== | ==== Tech Personality of the Year ==== | ||
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[[File:David-Braben-Honorary-Doctorate-Degree-From-Abertay-University.png|thumb|250px|David Braben receives honorary doctorate from Abertay University]] | [[File:David-Braben-Honorary-Doctorate-Degree-From-Abertay-University.png|thumb|250px|David Braben receives honorary doctorate from Abertay University]] | ||
In 2013, David Braben was awarded an honorary degree as Doctor of Technology | In 2013, David Braben was awarded an honorary degree as Doctor of Technology from Abertay University.<ref name=":3">https://scottishgames.net/2013/12/02/david-braben-receives-honorary-degree-from-abertay/</ref> Braben said, "<em>I’m delighted to receive an honorary degree today from Abertay University. As the first university in the world to teach a Computer Games Technology degree, and the organiser of the wonderful Dare to be Digital game design competition, Abertay has proven itself to be fantastically committed to educating the next generation of game developers. Computer science education is absolutely key to the future success of the UK, and linking strong school education – powered by initiatives like the Raspberry Pi – to world-leading university courses is exactly what we need to grow more great companies here."</em><ref name=":3" /> | ||
[[File:Queen-Elizabeth-II-David-Braben-OBE-2014.png|thumb|250px|Queen Elizabeth II presents David Braben with his OBE]] | [[File:Queen-Elizabeth-II-David-Braben-OBE-2014.png|thumb|250px|Queen Elizabeth II presents David Braben with his OBE]] | ||
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==== Officer of the Order of the British Empire ==== | ==== Officer of the Order of the British Empire ==== | ||
Braben was | Braben was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to the UK computer and video games industry. It celebrates the work he has done for both of the UK’s video game and computer industries.<ref>https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2014/06/42227-founder-frontier-david-braben-appointed-obe-queens-birthday-honors-list/</ref><ref>https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/david-braben-obe-elite-dangerous-commander-tequila-ginny-monroe</ref> Braben said, ''"I now have my medal! A huge honour, and I am very grateful to all those at Frontier that made this possible."''<ref>[https://twitter.com/DavidBraben/status/535784659393970176 Twitter: David Braben, 21 Nov 2014]</ref> | ||
[[File:David-Braben-OBE-Order-of-the-British-Empire-Award.png|thumb|250px|David Braben, OBE, Officer of the Order of the British Empire award]] | [[File:David-Braben-OBE-Order-of-the-British-Empire-Award.png|thumb|250px|David Braben, OBE, Officer of the Order of the British Empire award]] | ||
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In 2014, Braben received an honorary doctorate from The Open University.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/company-officers/FDEV</ref> | In 2014, Braben received an honorary doctorate from The Open University.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/company-officers/FDEV</ref> | ||
==== Pioneer, | ==== Pioneer, Game Developers Choice Award ==== | ||
In January 2015, he received the 2015 Pioneer, | In January 2015, he received the 2015 Pioneer, Game Developers Choice Award (GDCA), for his work on the Raspberry Pi and for working more than 30 years as a game developer.<ref>https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2015-game-developers-choice-awards-honoring-veteran-brenda-romero-with-ambassador-award-elite-co-creator-david-braben-with-pioneer-award-300026049.html</ref> | ||
==== BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award ==== | ==== BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award ==== | ||
| Line 54: | Line 55: | ||
[[File:David-Braben-BAFTA-Academy-Fellowship-Award.png|thumb|250px|David Braben, BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award]] | [[File:David-Braben-BAFTA-Academy-Fellowship-Award.png|thumb|250px|David Braben, BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award]] | ||
At | At the British Academy Games Awards on Thursday 12 March 2015, David Braben OBE received the BAFTA Fellowship. Awarded anually, the Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, television or games. Braben said, ''"I am absolutely delighted to be receiving a BAFTA Fellowship; it is an incredible honour. I have a truly great team behind me at Frontier, and without them I would not be receiving this, so the honour is effectively for all of us."''<ref name=":0">[http://www.bafta.org/games/awards/david-braben-fellowship-2015 David Braben: BAFTA Fellowship 2015] | ||
</ref> | </ref> | ||
Discussing the Fellowship, Harvey Elliott, Chairman of BAFTA’s Games Committee, said | Discussing the Fellowship, Harvey Elliott, Chairman of BAFTA’s Games Committee, said, “''With Elite recently celebrating its 30th anniversary, David Braben’s enthusiasm for the medium remains as undiminished today as it was back then. David is a genuine pioneer, not just in terms of game design or cultural significance but also in the field of computing, having championed the Raspberry Pi that recently became the most successful British computer of all time. The Academy Fellowship could not be more appropriate.”''<ref name=":0" /> | ||
Braben received a standing ovation when he took to the stage to be presented the award by fellow games industry legend Ian Livingstone. In his acceptance speech he suggested that the games industry is on the "cusp of a golden age".<ref name=":0" /> | Braben received a standing ovation when he took to the stage to be presented the award by fellow games industry legend Ian Livingstone. In his acceptance speech he suggested that the games industry is on the ''"cusp of a golden age"''.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
==== Honorary Doctorate ==== | ==== Honorary Doctorate ==== | ||
On 15 July 2015, | On 15 July 2015, David Braben received an honorary doctorate from York University.<ref>https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2015/events/honorary-graduates-july-2015/</ref> | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" | {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" | ||
| Line 84: | Line 85: | ||
|Honorary Doctorate | |Honorary Doctorate | ||
Abertay University | Abertay University | ||
|Braben received an honorary degree as Doctor of Technology | |Braben received an honorary degree as Doctor of Technology from Abertay University. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 2014 | | 2014 | ||
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== Games == | == Games == | ||
This is a list of David Braben's games.<ref name=":1">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Braben </ref> | This is a list of David Braben's games.<ref name=":1">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Braben Wikipedia: David Braben] </ref> | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" | {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" border="1" | ||
! Game name | ! Game name | ||
| Line 192: | Line 193: | ||
|Chairman & Founder | |Chairman & Founder | ||
|- | |- | ||
|Tales From Deep Space | |[https://rawg.io/games/tales-from-deep-space Tales From Deep Space] | ||
|2014 | |2014 | ||
|CEO & Founder | |CEO & Founder | ||
| Line 202: | Line 203: | ||
|[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_Coaster Planet Coaster] | |[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_Coaster Planet Coaster] | ||
|2016 | |2016 | ||
|CEO & Founder | |||
|- | |||
|''[https://jurassicworld-evolution.fandom.com/wiki/Jurassic_World_Evolution_Wiki Jurassic World Evolution]'' | |||
|2018 | |||
|CEO & Founder | |CEO & Founder | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 207: | Line 212: | ||
== Videos == | == Videos == | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:Rules can be beautiful David Braben at TEDxAlbertopolis | |||
File:Brits Who Made The Modern World - The Making of Elite | |||
File:David Braben is awarded the BAFTA Games Fellowship in 2015 | |||
File:David Braben on the Making of Elite From Bedrooms to Billions Funstock.co.uk | |||
File:David Braben A Life in Pixels | |||
File:25 Years of Frontier Developments with David Braben - Develop-Brighton | |||
File:Elite- Dangerous - Beta 2 Gameplay | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== See also == | |||
* [http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/15od2s/i_am_david_braben_cocreator_of_elite_creator_of David Braben - reddit AMA (2013)] | |||
* [https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/4l4f3c/ask_him_anything_david_braben_cocreator_of_elite/ David Braben - reddit AMA (May 26, 2016)] | |||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Frontier Developments]] | [[Category:Frontier Developments]] | ||
[[Category:Elite series]] | |||
[[ru:Дэвид Брабен]] | |||
Latest revision as of 20:39, 21 August 2026
Template:DeveloperInfobox David John Braben, OBE, is a British game developer, game designer and game programmer. Braben is best known for creating the Elite series. He co-developed the original Elite with Ian Bell in 1984. He is the founder and CEO of Frontier Developments since January 1994. He's also a co-founder of and works as a trustee for the Raspberry Pi Foundation which in 2012 launched a low-cost computer for education.[1][2]
Braben attended Buckhurst Hill County High School in Chigwell in Essex.[3] He studied Natural Sciences at Jesus College, Cambridge and specialized in Electrical Science in his final year.[4] He is the recipient of three honorary doctorates from Abertay University (2013), The Open University (2014), and York University (15 July 2015).
Braben is a Fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Engineering and Technology. He sits on the BAFTA Games Board. Braben also chairs the Government Skillset board for approval of University courses.[5]
David Braben is a leading figure in the computer games industry, one of the most influential computer game programmers of all time[6] and a radical innovator in game design. The sprawling open-world game-play and classic science-fiction setting of Elite made it a cult hit in the 1980s. He also made Frontier: Elite II in 1993, Frontier: First Encounters in 1995 and is the director of Elite: Dangerous since 2014. The success of the original Elite helped to create the UK games industry, which now has an annual turnover of £3 billion (2015).[5]
In May 2011, David Braben announced a new prototype computer, Raspberry Pi, mounted on a printed-circuit board not much bigger than a credit card, and intended to stimulate the teaching of basic computer science in schools. Since then, more than 5,000,000 Raspberry Pis have been sold. The initiative came from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. The charity, of which David Braben is a trustee, aims to promote the study of computer science and to put the fun back into learning computing.[5]
David Braben is married to Wendy Irvin-Braben and has two sons. He lives in Cambridge, United Kingdom.[2]
Awards
Development Legend Award
On 5 September 2005, Braben received the Development Legend Award at the Develop Industry Excellence Awards in Cambridge.[7]
Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
In 2012, Braben was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.[8]
Tech Personality of the Year
In 2013, Braben was co-award winner of Tech Personality of the Year at the UK Tech Awards 2013.[9][10]
Doctor of Technology
In 2013, David Braben was awarded an honorary degree as Doctor of Technology from Abertay University.[11] Braben said, "I’m delighted to receive an honorary degree today from Abertay University. As the first university in the world to teach a Computer Games Technology degree, and the organiser of the wonderful Dare to be Digital game design competition, Abertay has proven itself to be fantastically committed to educating the next generation of game developers. Computer science education is absolutely key to the future success of the UK, and linking strong school education – powered by initiatives like the Raspberry Pi – to world-leading university courses is exactly what we need to grow more great companies here."[11]
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Braben was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to the UK computer and video games industry. It celebrates the work he has done for both of the UK’s video game and computer industries.[12][13] Braben said, "I now have my medal! A huge honour, and I am very grateful to all those at Frontier that made this possible."[14]
Honorary Doctorate
In 2014, Braben received an honorary doctorate from The Open University.[15]
Pioneer, Game Developers Choice Award
In January 2015, he received the 2015 Pioneer, Game Developers Choice Award (GDCA), for his work on the Raspberry Pi and for working more than 30 years as a game developer.[16]
BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award
At the British Academy Games Awards on Thursday 12 March 2015, David Braben OBE received the BAFTA Fellowship. Awarded anually, the Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, television or games. Braben said, "I am absolutely delighted to be receiving a BAFTA Fellowship; it is an incredible honour. I have a truly great team behind me at Frontier, and without them I would not be receiving this, so the honour is effectively for all of us."[17]
Discussing the Fellowship, Harvey Elliott, Chairman of BAFTA’s Games Committee, said, “With Elite recently celebrating its 30th anniversary, David Braben’s enthusiasm for the medium remains as undiminished today as it was back then. David is a genuine pioneer, not just in terms of game design or cultural significance but also in the field of computing, having championed the Raspberry Pi that recently became the most successful British computer of all time. The Academy Fellowship could not be more appropriate.”[17]
Braben received a standing ovation when he took to the stage to be presented the award by fellow games industry legend Ian Livingstone. In his acceptance speech he suggested that the games industry is on the "cusp of a golden age".[17]
Honorary Doctorate
On 15 July 2015, David Braben received an honorary doctorate from York University.[18]
| Date | Award | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 September 2005 | Development Legend Award | Braben received the Development Legend Award at the Develop Industry Excellence Awards in Cambridge. |
| 2012 | Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering | Braben was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. |
| 2013 | Tech Personality of the Year | Braben was co-award winner of Tech Personality of the Year at the UK Tech Awards 2013. |
| 2013 | Honorary Doctorate
Abertay University |
Braben received an honorary degree as Doctor of Technology from Abertay University. |
| 2014 | Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) | Braben was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 Birthday Honours for services to the UK computer and video games industry. |
| 2014 | Honorary Doctorate | Braben received an honorary doctorate from the Open University. |
| January 2015 | Pioneer, Game Developers Choice Award (GDCA) | Braben received the 2015 Pioneer, Game Developers Choice Award (GDCA), for his work on the Raspberry Pi and for working more than 30 years as a game developer. |
| 12 March 2015 | BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award in video gaming | Braben was awarded the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award in video gaming at the 11th British Academy Games Awards. |
| 15 July 2015 | Honorary Doctorate | Braben received an honorary doctorate from York University. |
Games
This is a list of David Braben's games.[2]
| Game name | First released | Braben's role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Elite | 1984 | Designer & programmer |
| Zarch | 1987 | Developer |
| Conqueror | 1990 | Developer |
| Campaign | 1992 | Programmer (original 3D shape display code) |
| Frontier: Elite II | 1993 | Designer, writer & programmer |
| Frontier: First Encounters | 1995 | Director & writer |
| Darxide | 1995 | Designer |
| V2000 | 1998 | Programmer |
| Dog's Life | 2003 | Director & designer |
| Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit | 2005 | Executive producer |
| RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 | 2004 | Executive producer |
| RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Soaked! | 2005 | Executive producer |
| RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Wild! | 2005 | Executive producer |
| Thrillville | 2006 | Executive producer |
| Thrillville: Off the Rails | 2007 | Executive producer |
| LostWinds | 2008 | Executive producer |
| LostWinds 2: Winter of the Melodias | 2009 | Chairman |
| Kinectimals | 2010 | Executive producer |
| Kinect Star Wars | 2012 | Chairman & Founder |
| Tales From Deep Space | 2014 | CEO & Founder |
| Elite: Dangerous | 2014 | Director |
| Planet Coaster | 2016 | CEO & Founder |
| Jurassic World Evolution | 2018 | CEO & Founder |
Videos
See also
References
- ↑ Wikipedia: Frontier Developments
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Wikipedia: David Braben
- ↑ New Statesman: The life of Pi
- ↑ http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/1050/david-braben/
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2015/events/honorary-graduates-july-2015/
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/10573763/The-godfather-of-video-games-looks-to-a-new-Frontier.html
- ↑ http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,1003/
- ↑ http://www.theiet.org/membership/member-news/30a/raeng-fellows.cfm
- ↑ http://www.uktech-awards.co.uk/index.php/archive/2013
- ↑ https://www.computescotland.com/tech-personality-vin-murria-6737.php
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 https://scottishgames.net/2013/12/02/david-braben-receives-honorary-degree-from-abertay/
- ↑ https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2014/06/42227-founder-frontier-david-braben-appointed-obe-queens-birthday-honors-list/
- ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/david-braben-obe-elite-dangerous-commander-tequila-ginny-monroe
- ↑ Twitter: David Braben, 21 Nov 2014
- ↑ https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/company-officers/FDEV
- ↑ https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2015-game-developers-choice-awards-honoring-veteran-brenda-romero-with-ambassador-award-elite-co-creator-david-braben-with-pioneer-award-300026049.html
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 David Braben: BAFTA Fellowship 2015
- ↑ https://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2015/events/honorary-graduates-july-2015/