Oliver Twins

The Oliver Twins are two British brothers, Philip and Andrew Oliver known for their work as video game developers. They began to professionally develop computer games while they were still at school, contributing their first type-in game to a magazine in 1983. They worked with publishers Codemasters for a number of years following their first collaboration Super Robin Hood, most notably creating the Dizzy series of games and many of Codemasters popular Simulator Series. At one point during the 1980s it was reported that 7% of all UK games sales were attributable to the Oliver Twins. In 1990 they founded Interactive Studios which later became Blitz Games Studios. In October 2013 they founded Radiant Worlds,^[1] based in Leamington Spa, UK, with long time friend and colleague Richard Smithies.

Overview

Philip and Andrew Oliver first began programming computer games while at school (Clarendon School in Trowbridge^[2] ), having their first game published as written code in Computer and Video Games magazine in 1983.^[3] Their first full release game, Super Robin Hood for the Amstrad CPC, was published in 1985 by Codemasters.

The Codemasters publishing relationship led to the origin of the Dizzy series and the Simulator series. Whilst with Codemasters, they were responsible for over 10 UK number one best sellers and over 3 million sales.^[4] In 1986, it was reported that an estimated 7% of all UK games sales were attributable to the Oliver Twins.^[4]

In 1990, at the age of 22, they started Interactive Studios, now called Blitz Games Studios.^[5] Apart from their own games, the Oliver Twins were also responsible for porting a number of other prominent games to the Sega platforms, including Theme Park and Syndicate. In October 2013 they founded Radiant Worlds,^[1] based in Leamington Spa, UK, with long time friend and colleague Richard Smithies to develop SkySaga for Korean based Smilegate. SkySaga is an ambitious online voxel based game based on an original concept by Philip Oliver developed during his Christmas 2011 holidays.

Both of the Olivers take an active role in supporting the UK games industry. Philip Oliver is one of the founders of developers' trade body TIGA and has served as an active board member (currently a Director) since its inception in 2001.^[6] He is also a Director on the board for e-skills UK.^[7]

The brothers received Honorary Doctorates in 2008 from Coventry University (in Business Administration (DBA) and Technology (DTech) for Philip and Andrew respectively) in recognition of their contribution to the growth of the electronic games industry both regionally and internationally,^[5] and were honoured as Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts in 2010.^[8]

After Philip attended the launch of the UK Government's Next Gen Report (also known as the Livingstone-Hope Report) in February 2011 about challenges faced by the UK Games industry, he established Made in Creative UK ^[9] which with Andrew they run as a not for profit campaign to raise awareness of the world class game developers and digital creatives developers based in the UK. The campaign has over 350 supporting companies and many high profile supporters including Sajid Javid MP (Culture Secretary & Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills) ^[10]

Games created or published by Complex Software/Interactive Studios/Blitz Games Studios/Radiant Worlds

• Wonderland Dizzy (2015)
• SkySaga: Infinite Isles (Alpha released Q4 2014 ^[11])
• Puss in Boots (Q4 2011)
• Michael Phelps: Push the Limit (Q4 2011)
• SpongeBob's Surf and Skate Roadtrip (Q4 2011)
• Fantastic Pets (2011)
• Yoostar 2 (2011)
• Droplitz Delight (2010)
• SFG Soccer: Football Fever (2010) – Published by Blitz 1UP
• The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout (2010)
• The Biggest Loser Challenge (2010)
• Dead to Rights: Retribution (2010)
• All Star Karate (2010)
• Biggest Loser (2009)
• Karaoke Revolution (2009)
• iCarly (2009)
• KrissX (2009)- Published by Blitz 1UP
• Fluttabyes (2009)- Published by Blitz 1UP
• Mole Control (2009)- Published by Blitz 1UP
• Clover: A Curious Tale (2009)- Published by Blitz 1UP
• Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao (Q4 2009)
• Droplitz (Q3 2009)
• PowerUp Forever (2008)
• Buccaneer: The Pursuit of Infamy (2008)- Published by Blitz 1UP
• Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2 (2008)
• Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Make the Grade (2008)
• Bratz Girlz Really Rock (2008)
• Tak and the Guardians of Gross (2008)
• Project Aftermath (2008)- Published by Blitz 1UP
• Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore (2008)
• SpongeBob SquarePants – Underpants Slam^[12] (2007)
• Bratz: The Movie (video game) (2007)
• Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol (2007)
• Big Bumpin' (2006)
• PocketBike Racer (2006)
• Sneak King (2006)
• SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab (2006)
• Bratz: Forever Diamondz (2006)
• Reservoir Dogs (2006)
• Pac-Man World 3 (2005)
• Bratz: Rock Angelz (2005)
• The Fairly OddParents: Shadow Showdown (2004)
• Bad Boys: Miami Takedown (2004)
• Barbie Horse Adventures: Wild Horse Rescue (2003)
• The Fairly OddParents: Breakin' Da Rules (2003)
• Zapper: One Wicked Cricket (2002)
• Taz: Wanted (2002)
• Lilo & Stitch: Trouble in Paradise (2002)
• Fuzion Frenzy (2001)
• The Mummy Returns (2001)
• Chicken Run (2000)
• The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000)
• Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge (2000)
• Action Man: Destruction X (2000)
• Action Man: Mission Xtreme (1999)
• Glover (1999)
• WarGames (1998)

Games published by Codemasters

• Super Robin Hood – November 1985 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga, NES
• Ghost Hunters – February 1986 – CPC, Spectrum
• Grand Prix Simulator – April 1986 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga
• Dizzy - The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure – June 1986 – CPC, Spectrum, C64
• Professional Ski Simulator – October 1986 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga
• 3D Starfighter – November 1986 – CPC, Spectrum
• Fruit Machine Simulator – February 1987 – Spectrum, CPC, C64, ST, Amiga
• Treasure Island Dizzy – August 1987 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga, NES, PC DOS
• Advanced Pinball Simulator – October 1987 – CPC, Spectrum C64
• Pro BMX Simulator – November 1987 – CPC, Spectrum, C64
• Incredible Shrinking Sphere – November 1987 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga
• Fast Food Dizzy – December 1987 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga, PC DOS
• Grand Prix Simulator II – February 1988 – CPC, Spectrum, C64
• The Race Against Time – May 88 – CPC, Spectrum, C64
• Jet Bike Simulator – September 1988 – CPC Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga
• Fantasy World Dizzy – October 1988 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga, PC
• Ghostbusters II (published by Activision) – August 1988 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga
• Operation Gunship – August 1989 – CPC, Spectrum, C64
• Kwik Snax – November 1989 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga, PC
• The CD Games Pack – December 1989 – CPC, Spectrum, C64
• Magicland Dizzy – February 1990 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga, PC
• Dizzy Panic! – May 90 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, Master System, Game Gear
• Dizzy Prince of the Yolkfolk – August 1990 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga, PC
• Bubble Dizzy – November 1990 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga, PC
• Spellbound Dizzy – December 1990 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga, PC
• Dizzy Down the Rapids – April 1991 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga
• Fantastic Dizzy – April 1991 – NES, ST, Amiga, Mega Drive/Genesis, PC, Game Boy, Master System, Game Gear.
• Firehawk – September 1991 – NES, ST, Amiga
• Crystal Kingdom Dizzy – December 1991 – CPC, Spectrum, C64, ST, Amiga, PC
• Robin Hood Legend Quest – February 1992 – ST, Amiga
• Aladdin Deck Enhancer – November 1992 – NES
• Dizzy The Adventurer – November 1992 – NES (free with Aladdin)
• Dreamworld Pogie – Never Released – NES (on Aladdin)
• Go! Dizzy Go! – Never Released – NES (on Aladdin)
• The Excellent Dizzy Collection – November 1993 – Master System, Game Gear

References

External links

• Official Oliver Twins website
• Blitz Games Studios website
• Desert Island Discs style interview with Andrew Oliver
• Oliver Twins interview
• Oliver Twins interview with the Goddess from GIGnews