Games expert joins Northwest Vision and Media
Games expert Ian Hetherington has joined Northwest Vision and Media in Manchester. His recruitment follows the announcement earlier this year that Northwest Vision and Media is the regional cluster organisation to lead, support and promote the creative and digital industries in the region (defined as games, TV, film, radio, digital/ ICT, music, publishing and creative services sectors).
Ian is Chairman of Real Time Worlds and his gaming pedigree spans several decades. He founded Psygnosis Limited in 1985 and pioneered 16 bit computer formats with considerable success. In 1991, Psygnosis released Lemmings, which remains a leading game in the PSP Chart and for mobile phones today.
After selling Psygnosis to Sony in 1993, Ian became Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) and was responsible for the management of the first PlayStation platform and business.
He was retained as Managing Director of Psygnosis, which developed further million unit selling franchises including F1, Wipeout, Destruction Derby, Colony Wars and G-Police. During his time at the company, Ian encouraged the start up of various games development companies including Travellers Tales, Bizarre Creations, Reflections and DMA Design, studios which went on to produce hit games on a global scale.
Ian left Sony in 1998 and began to focus on those start ups that he helped to develop: Evolution Studios (sold to Sony in 2007) and Real Time Worlds.
Evolution Studios created the WRC (World Rally Championship) game series and recently the Motorstorm series of games and downloadable content on PS3. Real Time Worlds is currently working on the MOG (multiplayer online game) “APB” for release in 2010 along with other ground breaking technologies.
Ian Hetherington said: “Games development has a proud history and heritage in the North West. The persistent evolution of technologies and content make it necessary to constantly re-evaluate the needs of the sector in order to retain a leadership position in this exciting industry. I look forward to working with Northwest Vision and Media to ensure that the North West games industry has the best possible creative, convergent and commercial opportunity.”
Steve Morrison, Chair of Northwest Vision and Media explains: “We’re delighted to announce that Ian has joined the newly expanded Northwest Vision and Media Board of digital and creative industries representatives. It is crucial that we have such an experienced voice as Ian’s for the Games Industry on our Board.
“The region is home to some of the finest gaming companies in the country - it’s a growing market and a key area of activity for Northwest Vision and Media. We’re committed to supporting, developing and promoting gaming’s key activities in every way we can.
“Ian is a well-respected figure in the industry and with his wealth of experience, can help us to deliver even more efficiently to the sector and develop our links with the games community even further. I have no doubt that he will make a dynamic contribution to Northwest Vision and Media.”
