Game Based Learning 2009

Ian Livingstone is one the UK’s founding fathers of interactive entertainment and fiction. In 1975 he founded Games Workshop with Steve Jackson and launched Dungeons & Dragons in Europe and the Games Workshop retail chain. In 1977 he launched White Dwarf, the UK’s first interactive games magazine, and was its editor for 5 years. In 1982, again with Steve Jackson, he devised Fighting Fantasy, the series of interactive gamebooks that sold over 15 million copies in 23 languages. He wrote more than 20 books in the series including his best-selling Deathtrap Dungeon. He has also invented many board games. In 1992 he became Deputy Chairman of computer games publisher Domark. In 1995 he oversaw the merger and flotation of Domark with Eidos Technologies and served as Executive Chairman of the Board of the new interactive entity Eidos plc until 2002. At Eidos - the UK's leading developer and publisher of video games - he was instrumental in securing many of the company's major franchises including Tomb Raider and Hitman.

In 2000 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology by the University of Abertay Dundee.

In 2002 he was awarded the BAFTA Special Award for his outstanding contribution to the interactive entertainment industry.

In 2003 he was appointed Creative Industries advisor to the British Council.

In 2004 he was made a Creative Industries Luminary for London.

In 2004 he was appointed Non-Executive Chairman of Bright Things plc.

In 2005 he was appointed Skillset’s Chair of the Computer Games Skills Council.

In 2006 he was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List for his contribution to the Computer Games Industry.

He is currently the Creative Director for Eidos and a leading spokesperson for the UK video games industry.