Difference between revisions of "Core Design"

Revision as of 13:34, 10 January 2020

Core Design

Founded: 1988

Defunct: 2006

T-series code: T-115

Merged into: Eidos Interactive (1996)

Headquarters:

Derby, United Kingdom

Core Design Ltd. was a video game developer and publisher headquartered in Derby, United Kingdom. It was founded in in 1988 by Chris Shrigley, Andy Green, Rob Toone, Terry Lloyd, Simon Phipps, Dave Pridmore, Jeremy Heath-Smith and Greg Holmes, most of whom were former employees at Gremlin Graphics.

Core Design are best known for creating the Tomb Raider franchise. The studio was acquired by U.S. Gold and made part of distribution company CentreGold, a joint venture between U.S. Gold and CentreSoft. CentreGold was then acquired by Eidos Interactive in 1996 who sold CentreSoft but kept U.S. Gold. In their early years, Core Design were also responsible for computer ports of Action Fighter and Dynamite Dux - two properties owned by Sega.

Over the coming years Core Design were mainly tasked with creating Tomb Raider games, but after 2003's Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness was panned by the gaming press, Eidos put another of their owned studios, Crystal Dynamics in charge of the franchise. This move prompted key members from Core Design to resign and form Circle Studio. Core Design's assets, bar Tomb Raider were then sold to Rebellion on May 11, 2006. The Derby studios were closed in 2010 due to funding issues.

The Core Design brand is still owned by Eidos, but is scarcely used.