Core Design History
This document was found on some 'Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation' art disks that we believe were given to press. It was written by someone at Core Design, quite possibly Susie Hamilton.
Core Design Limited
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Core Design is one the world’s leading game’s software developers. In its eleven years history, the company has created more than fifty successful titles, but is best known for launching the world’s first genuine cyber-star - Lara Croft – and designing three of the best-selling games of all time: Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider II and Tomb Raider III. Combined sales for all three games now total more than sixteen million units.
The company was founded in 1988 by Jeremy Smith and a group of colleagues who had previously worked together at games publisher Gremlin Interactive. Core Design started off with £16,000 and a staff of eight. Ten years on, it employees around 80 people - some 70 of who are actively involved in software development. The company’s first game, Rick Dangerous, shot straight to the top of the sales chart in the UK and subsequently went on to be named European Game of the Year. Another early number one hit was Corporation - the original first-person perspective ‘shoot ‘em up’. Growing every year, the company’s extensive discography reads like the highlights of a games’ Hall of Fame and includes classics like Rick Dangerous, Chuck Rock, Thunderhawk, Jaguar XJ220, Heimdall, Darkmere, Battlecorps, Wonder Dog and Fighting Force. In 1994, after establishing itself as a publisher in its own right, Core Design was acquired by the CentreGold group - made up of publisher US Gold and distributor CentreSoft. Core Design was autonomous within the group and remained so when CentreGold itself was acquired by the Eidos group in 1996. Core Design is now a fully owned subsidiary of Eidos, although it is run independently. The Eidos group, which includes interactive entertainment publisher Eidos Interactive, is listed on the London Stock Exchange and the US NASDAQ market. Soon after it was acquired, Core Design scored a massive hit for the group with the release of the groundbreaking Tomb Raider. The game and its cyber-star Lara Croft are a global phenomena. The sequel, which was launched a year later in November 1997, rapidly established itself as the fastest-selling game of all time. Lara Croft herself has achieved celebrity status. Her image has graced magazine covers around the world, including The Face and The Sunday Times. She has been featured in prestigious publications such as Time, Newsweek, Rolling Stone as well as appearing regularly in national press. Lara is soon to star in Tomb Raider: The Movie, due to be released by Paramount later next year. Core Design has been at the cutting edge of games technology for eleven years and its best-selling titles, many of which have won awards, are known for innovation, and attention to detail. The company attributes its success to one main principle - good gameplay is first and foremost. For Jeremy Smith, Core Design’s founder and managing director, it is the bottom line. “I am a games purist - you can makes games with spectacular graphics, but the essential value of good gameplay will always remain.” Core Design’s latest releases include include Ninja: Shadow of Darkness, a fast-paced arcade-style title for PlayStation, and Tomb Raider III - Lara Croft’s third adventure for the PC and PlayStation. Tomb Raider III entered the leisure software charts at the number one position upon its release.. The company is currently developing several titles due for release late 1999, including ‘Fighting Force 2’ and ‘Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation’. Expansion within the company will see Core move to larger purpose-built premises at the end of the year. For further information: Susie Hamilton, Public Relations Manager [email protected] (Please remember that this company doesn't exist anymore so there's no use in trying to email them) |