The 20th anniversary of a computing revolution that transformed Dundee into Scotland’s video games capital and led to saving the ‘lives’ of countless billions of innocent digital rodents has been celebrated in Dundee.
Lemmings, one of the world’s biggest-selling video games, was developed by the now defunct Dundee firm, DMA design, which went on to create another multi-million selling title Grand Theft Auto.
Launched on Valentine’s day 1991, the game asked players to rescue a group of lemmings as they march across the screen, oblivious to the series of fatal obstacles in their path.
The game sold 55,000 copies on its first day and went on to sell more than 15 million copies worldwide.
While initially appearing on the Commodore Amiga, versions were later made for 28 different systems, with current versions available for Windows, PlayStation 3, PSP and Nintendo DS.
The game’s original team of designers Dave Jones, Gary Timmons, Mike Dailly and Russell Kay unveiled a plaque at DMA Design’s former Nethergate Studios to mark its historic role as the birthplace of Scotland’s creative industries sector.
The trio then gave a talk on the creation of the game at the UK Centre for Excellence in Computer Games Education at Abertay University.
Dave Jones, who later founded Realtime Worlds, said, “Lemmings is one of those few games whose design has stood the test of time, and with versions being released on new generations of hardware, it continues to be enjoyed by players of all ages everywhere.Insights”Through today’s event, the original team are sharing some of their experiences of the creation of Lemmings, and passing on insights from the pioneering days of Dundee’s local gaming industry.”
Co-designer and animator of Lemmings Gary Timmons added, “Initially I just wanted to get the original team together again to mark the 20th anniversary of the launch of Lemmings on February 14, 1991.
“However, as the game is so significant to the computer games industry in Dundee, the idea snowballed into a wider set of events including talks, exhibition of Lemmings items and a commemorative ceremony to mark the location of DMA Design’s first offices in the Nethergate, where it all started.
“We have received enthusiastic support from Interactive Tayside, the University of Abertay and McManus Galleries.”
Since Lemmings was launched, the video games industry has grown and is now worth more than £55 billion annually.
It is estimated the sector is worth around £20 million each year to the Scottish economy alone.
Dundee is widely regarded as the capital of the games industry in Scotland and there are currently around 15 game design firms based in the city.
Last week it was announced new firm Outplay Entertainment is to open premises in the city, creating 150 new jobs.
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user laihiu.