1983 — NOW — FUTURE
Follow the games, milestones and studio chapters of Philip and Andrew Oliver. Dates are as precise as the historical sources allow.
1983
Road Runner appears in Computer & Video Games: the beginning of a published game-making story.
NOW
Explore the Worlds, News and interactive ideas taking shape today.
FUTURE
There is always another character, puzzle or adventure to imagine.
Along the way
technologyThe first inspiration
Pong and an Apple II introduce the brothers to the possibilities of making their own games.
technologyLearning on a ZX81
The family’s ZX81 gives Philip and Andrew a computer on which to try out their own BASIC programs.
gameRoad Runner is published
A Computer & Video Games type-in listing puts their first published game into readers’ hands.
Image credits and source
Gameplay screenshot
Credit: Computer and Video Games — artwork belongs to its respective rights holders
Source: The Oliver Twins archive
milestoneThe Saturday Show
The brothers win a national television game-making competition.
Image credits and source
The Saturday Show game-making competition, October 1983.
Credit: The Saturday Show / Oliver Twins archive
Source: The Oliver Twins archive
Usage: Photographer and reuse terms are not specified in the source.
gameSuper Robin Hood
Their first Codemasters collaboration begins a new chapter after leaving school.
Image credits and source
Original cover / promotional artwork
Credit: Codemasters — artwork belongs to its respective rights holders
Source: The Oliver Twins archive
gameDizzy begins
The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure introduces the hero at the centre of the Dizzy series.
Image credits and source
Original cover / promotional artwork
Credit: Codemasters — artwork belongs to its respective rights holders
Source: The Oliver Twins archive
gameGhostbusters II
The Twins develop Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum versions of the film tie-in.
Image credits and source
Original cover / promotional artwork
Credit: Activision — artwork belongs to its respective rights holders
Source: The Oliver Twins archive
companyThe studio grows
Founded in 1990, Interactive Studios becomes the foundation of the later Blitz Games studio chapter.
Image credits and source
Camerica exhibition display, identified as 1991 in the official archive.
Credit: Camerica / Oliver Twins archive
Source: The Oliver Twins archive
Usage: Photographer and reuse terms are not specified in the source.
gameFantastic Dizzy on NES
The NES adventure expands Dizzy’s world onto a cartridge console.
Image credits and source
Original cover / promotional artwork
Credit: Camerica (NES); Codemasters — artwork belongs to its respective rights holders
Source: The Oliver Twins archive
companyRadiant Worlds
Philip and Andrew co-found Radiant Worlds with Richard Smithies; its project is SkySaga: Infinite Isles.
milestoneGuinness World Records recognition
Guinness recognises the Twins as the most prolific 8-bit videogame developers.
Image credits and source
The Twins with their Guinness World Records recognition.
Credit: Oliver Twins archive
Source: The Oliver Twins archive
Usage: Photographer and reuse terms are not specified in the source.
companyA new home for Radiant Worlds
Rebellion acquires Radiant Worlds, which becomes Rebellion Warwick.
gameWonderful Dizzy
A new Oliver Twins-designed adventure arrives on the ZX Spectrum, with development by a collaborating team.
Image credits and source
Original cover / promotional artwork
Credit: Team Yolkfolk — artwork belongs to its respective rights holders
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