Video: Team17 produced popular game franchise, Worms
The boss of an award-winning Nottingham games company which developed classics including Worms has been awarded an MBE.
Debbie Bestwick, owner and managing director of Team17, has been recognised for her services to the computer games industry after starting the business in Nottingham 25 years ago.
The company, which has offices in Mansfield, Nottingham and Wakefield, is one of the world’s longest-running independent game studios, and is responsible for developing more than 70 games including Worms, the platform strategy game which first rose to prominence in the 1990s.
Debbie was awarded the honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
She said: “It’s incredibly humbling to be honoured to receive an MBE.
“I am thankful to be able to work with such a talented team and partners, and contribute in the success of the British game industry.”
The company, which boasts sales in excess of 65 million units, was among the first to start developing games for mobile platforms in 2001 before becoming a digital publisher in 2007.
Picture: Team17 is one of the oldest privately owned independent games companies
Debbie added: “I’ve been an avid gamer since I was 12 and knew I wanted to be involved in the games industry from a very young age.
“It seems a long time ago that I started on my career path in a little games shop based in Hockley.
“This MBE only reinforces my passion for an industry I’ve grown up in, for which I am a proud member at present and look forward to working in for many years to come.”
Team17 works with developers around the world to create computer games which market across a variety of gaming platforms.
Its latest title, Yooka-Laylee, is currently being unveiled at the E3 games convention in Los Angeles, USA.
Video: Yooka-Laylee is one of the new games being unveiled at the E3 games convention
“We are incredibly busy with our Games Label and Incubation programme that supports start-ups and individuals,” Debbie added.
“We’re working with over a dozen teams around the world supporting them and helping bring their games to market.”
Picture: Worms WMD is set to be released later this year
Debbie, who won Businesswoman of the Year at last month’s Women In Games Awards, says she has previously faced challenges due to being one of the only female business owners in the industry.
She said: “At the start is was a little difficult but I’ve always just tried to do what I believe is right and do it to the best of my ability.
“The industry is now incredibly supportive and encouraging for women to enter.
“Groups like Women in Games Jobs (WIGJ) do incredible work and I’m honoured to have achieved their Hall of Fame award last year.”
Team17 will celebrate the 21st anniversary of Worms with the launch of a new updated version, Worms WMD, later this year.
