Oliver & Paul Collyer - M.B.E.s

[Rubentus_Juventus]

yo dudes well done dudes

[Qolumbo]

I'm a bit surprised, but congratulations!

CM was IMO the best computer game around in the late 90s and early 00s, so if such an award is given to the games industry, then the Collyers are certainly worthy recipients.

[!Steve1977]

This is awesome news. Paul and Olivers games have been a very big part of my life ever since I got the first CM on the Amiga. Wonderful!

I wonder if the Queen plays? hehe

[iQbal]

Congrats guys, well done

[sparks199]

disgraceful yet our men are fighting n dieing for us overseas ..

yet the queen gives out M.B.E,s to someone for just making a game ..

DAM RIGHT DISGRACEFUL

[ExpatKopite]

Congratulations to the two C's. If someone had told me back in 92 that a couple of bluenoses would impact my life enough to have me spending hours upon hours, weeks and months over the best part of the next two decades enjoying thier interpretation of football, I would have told them to bugger off. Well deserved guys.

[JamieDay]

Just saw this on the BBC website, congratulations!

[Kickballz]

congratulations Paul and Oliver!

An amazing recognition and it couldn't have gone to two more deserving guys.

[Kickballz]

disgraceful yet our men are fighting n dieing for us overseas ..

yet the queen gives out M.B.E,s to someone for just making a game ..

DAM RIGHT DISGRACEFUL

What an ignorant comment!

They got the reward in recognition for their services to the UK's computer games industry. The rewards are meant to reflect all walks of life, not just services to killing.

[lurkingwithintent]

The Queen did say it would have been a knighthood if it wasnt for the superkeepers saving all her sides shots.

[roseboy64]

Congrats guys. Well done.

[oescus]

Allow me to add my congratulations on your "gongs". I've been washing dishes every night for fourty-four years of married life, trying to get mine. Where did I go wrong? Kindest of New Year regards.

[Ov Collyer]

Thanks for all the kind messages folks, much appreciated by my bro and I.

We certainly couldn't have got our games from what they were 20 years ago to where they are today without the support of the community. So cheers!

Wishing everyone a happy 2010, with an extra ten percent reserved for all fellow bluenoses around the World

[Colorado]

Congratulations guys!

[Kriss]

disgraceful yet our men are fighting n dieing for us overseas ..

yet the queen gives out M.B.E,s to someone for just making a game ..

DAM RIGHT DISGRACEFUL

Military honours are in a different category and there were many more awarded to servicemen and women than there were to computing experts.

Your comment shows a remarkable lack of knowledge of the honours system in particular and our armed forces in general.

[civilservant]

Congratulations. Was good to see Captain Picard being given a Knighthood too

[zooty]

ive got a friend in afghanistan who is risking his life everyday , im sure he will have to wait till his 78 till he gets his , and kickballz go eat some veg u puwseeeee, services to killin ha ha ha

[GazTheDoood]

Congratulations!

[Vane]

Agreed Kriss. The government often often praises the British video gaming sector and its global influence and it would like to see it even stronger, so no surprise that SI Games should be honoured.

The real scandal was when friends of the government used to get awards for being 'good old boys' rather than for any real achievement. That happens a lot less now.

Gratz to the lads!!

[anagain]

Paul also had his fair share of time off - trying to be a rock star in the early CM days (he was in a band called Elevate) - so no, they get the same size medal...

Sounds a bit like early Sonic Youth. I had never realised the Collyer's talents were so far reaching. Hard to find a recording of Elevate though.


Congrats on the award and the recognition guys.

[Northstand]

Well done, not bad for a couple of Shropshire lads.

[crustyjuggler]

Brilliant. Well done guys.

[PaulC]

I'd just like to say thank you for all the kind comments, and wish everyone a very happy new year'

It means a lot.....

Cheers,
Paul :-)

[Abz Khan]

ive got a friend in afghanistan who is risking his life everyday , im sure he will have to wait till his 78 till he gets his , and kickballz go eat some veg u puwseeeee, services to killin ha ha ha

This is a completely different matter. What are you on about?

[Abz Khan]

I'd just like to say thank you for all the kind comments, and wish everyone a very happy new year'

It means a lot.....

Cheers,
Paul :-)

Well done

[Ezequiel_Lavezzi]

Congrats!

SI has always been a great company and I through the years I have even had save games "repaired" by Paul C and company...would never get something like that from anyone else.

Although I feel a lot of these awards and especially knighthoods are given out a little to easily.

[Carl]

Awesome, great news........ now start cracking on with FM11!! Chop chop.

Seriously, well done.

[anthony]

congratulations this is well deserved thank you for my 13 years of enjoyment and many more to come

[Chris Ritchie]

Haha, wow. Didn't see that coming at all. What great news for the Collyers, Sports Interactive, Football Manager and the British games industry.

I don't really think I need to say "well done" when the Queen's just done it

[5hadow]

Congrats guys.

A very pleasant surprise.

Is this a first for the UK gming industry?

[BoroPhil]

Congrats indeed. Been playing since the original on the Amiga and still as addicted with a lass and a kid as I was in my bedroom when I was 13.

[cliff7197]

Congrats to you both! Thoroughly deserved for the hours of enjoyment that FM/CM has given to the masses over the years.

[stevieboyfitzy]

I remember my very first encounter with the CM Series well, CM Italia, a guy who I used to work with on niteshift used to rant and rave about a certain football manager game, to shut him up I told him to bring it in so I could try it out, at that time, sensible soccer was my fav game on the C64....well since that day I have been addicted and I am the proud owner of every CM and football manager game released, now FML is a big part of my life and will hopefully also be around for many a year to come, you guys deserve the awards for making so many football managers live that dream.....

Well done guys, you must be buzzing and so you should be.....

[Mookie]

Congrats and well deserved. CM/FM has done much to expose world football (ahem..soccer) to many of us here in the US before the likes of the interweb, Fox Soccer and ESPN. Maybe we can get them The Presidential Medal of Freedom as well

[RajeshB]

Brilliant... Congrats guys.. and a very happy new year!!

[Barnzy]

Great news congrats guys!

[thom]

Congratulations, well-deserved!

Like many I am proud to be a tiny part of this on-going project.

Long live Football Manager!

[RTC]

Wow well all i can say is thank you for giving me hours of fun and a chance to make new friends and play in a beta GW for FML and still get hours of fun out the FM series. Well deserved lads and enjoy your day out

[RTC]

Also i feel proud to say iv been allowed the chance to beta test a great game and be at the start of something historical

[Stantoner]

Well done,

cant be to many game developers who have been awarded by the Royals

[fonz]

Congratulations

[Zola444]

Congrats guys very deserved even if you caused every man who plays fm to break up his relationship on the release date no but really well done

[santy001]

I wonder how many women agree with these nominations lol.

Congratulations on it all though.

[RDXCougar8173]

Congrats guys and it is truly deserved

and i thought it was princes william and harry that play the game not the queen and they have nagged the queen to give them an award to show there gratitude for the way they have got the princes addicted to the game

[DanGLiverpool]

I've just cottoned on that PaulC on the boards is Paul Collyer

[muncherdave]

Congratulations chaps, thoroughly deserved

[Jakswan]

Great to see, congratulations.

[RICO]

congratulations guys

[Liverbird93]

congrats. well deserved

[Abz Khan]

I've just cottoned on that PaulC on the boards is Paul Collyer

hahahahaha LOL

[route1]

Don't think I ever ran into you guys at my time at SI but a massive congratulations on your achievement fellas; thoroughly deserved!

Johan and Coleman to be made CBEs next year, just you wait!

[NepentheZ]

Amazing achievement. Awesome stuff. You guys have certainly kept me entertained over the last decade or so, and I couldn't be happier for you

[timmy]

Truly well deserved !! Congrats guys

[davels]

My guess is that Prince Harry is an addict and told Nanny to do the right thing.....

[Demon4]

Congratulations

[dassyboy]

Fantastic! Please pass on everyone's congratulations to both!

[sebsy]

Makes me proud to be a Shropshire boy

[froog]

thats excellent and well deserved well done

[rhydymwyn]

Congratulations!

[djvandyke]

Ridiculous decision. How did the Queen not notice the bugs?

[Wes_Coulam]

disgraceful yet our men are fighting n dieing for us overseas ..

yet the queen gives out M.B.E,s to someone for just making a game ..

DAM RIGHT DISGRACEFUL

As a member of the Armed Forces, im happy for them. FM keeps many service people sane & going whilst on deployments / tours.

[Arush]

Amazing.

Congratulations!

[RossoneriGunner]

***CONGRATULATIONS***

Well deserved, just waiting for their Knighthood's now.....there will be no living wiv 'em, LOL.

RG

[Celts1888]

Well done lads keep up the good work.

[Sloppy Giuseppe]

This is just awesome news. By the way my game doesn't work.

[blueglobefootball123]

That's excellent news, congrats to both

[JoeGraham]

Thoroughly deserved, I am also think this is a fantastic slap in the face for those at Eidos who didn't allow you to proceed and create fantastic games (exception CM01/02). This is a brilliant reward and recognition of the fantastic sucess that you at S.I have had and every brilliant games in the now legendary Football Manager Series!

[tigerhgrrrrrr]

Its a shame about all the bugs this year or it may have been OBE's! Yes I am still sore about 3d not working properly, even after patching & upgrading my PC fully....BUT seriously, such awards should be given for many different reasons, and I feel the pleasure that the SI games have given to so many for so long is a just reason so congrats.

[Marshdweller]

A little bird told me that they would've got knighthoods, but the Queen wasn't impressed with having to wait till mid-December for patch 2. :P

Seriously, congratulations to the pair of you!

[Jorracle]

Solid work fellas you deserve it!! Congratulations!!

[GeordieTodger]

nice one fellas, very deserving IMO.

[CaptainHaddock]

Many congratulations guys! Well deserved.

[b3ast1]

just saw this on kotaku well done guys good to see you get recognision for all the hard work and effort put in to making one of the greatest games

[Markmilan]

Congrats Oliver & Paul, well deserved.

[ottey_swe]

Congratulations! And thank you for FM

[~adma~]

Congrats guys! Well deserved

So its Sir Ov now in Miller?

[Faultless86]

Well done guys, here's to many more versions of FM and FML in the future, I for one have grown up playing the game and it holds a special place in my heart, FML was the icing on the cake for me and I hope that can become as succesful as FM.
Im sure with the team you have at SI this is a certainty.

GG WP.

[Deman]

Congratulations and thoroughly deserved. I've followed and played this game since the first Championship Manager when my friend Paul Chaloner did the research for you.

One of the few games I will happily purchase each year.

[Marshdweller]

The Queen did say it would have been a knighthood if it wasnt for the superkeepers saving all her sides shots.

A little bird told me that they would've got knighthoods, but the Queen wasn't impressed with having to wait till mid-December for patch 2. :P

Seriously, congratulations to the pair of you!

D'oh! You beat me to it.

Congratulations again guys!

[ColinZeal]

WOW!!! Congrats!!! Well deserved!

[Wee Aja]

M.B.E.s for ruining my life???
I'd like to know how they sleep at night - have they any idea how much time I've spent on this bloody game, sometimes just staring at the screen for hours teetering on the edge of insanity?

Joking aside - congratulations gentlemen

[gazzamark]

Well done lads, I've been shouting for MBEs for you guys for years and now its come true. I can still remember as clear as day my first game of CM1, it changed my life.

[minisav]

M.B.E.s for ruining my life???
I'd like to know how they sleep at night - have they any idea how much time I've spent on this bloody game, sometimes just staring at the screen for hours teetering on the edge of insanity?

Joking aside - congratulations gentlemen

Stop lying, you've never been that close. You're far too far over the edge!

[denzil85]

Congratulations, now I can claim that playing almost every version of your games since 97/98 has been worth it - RESPECT

[chesterfan2]

Can I just add my congratulations too. Well done lads.

Yes, you have ruined my life, but in a nice way.

[Edle]

fully deserved after all the work and effort they put into this game series. nice one men.

[Cableguy]

I think congrats are in order for the both of you.....however my missus doesnt agree!!!!!!!

[Dar2000]

I have huge admiration for anyone who can take a classroom daydream and turn it into the phenomenol success story that your games have enjoyed. Other developers have tried to rival you and never got within touching distance!

Congrats to the both of you.

[GillesGrimandi]

Fantastic news.

Making my gaming life a joy since 1993.

[Lima owinho]

As you can imagine, Ov & Paul are somewhat overwhelmed with the response, so I'd like to thank you all for your lovely comments on their behalf - I would have done it sooner, but my net connection is down from home (you cannot believe what I went through last night to get the announcement up here!) so I've come into the studio to respond



Paul Jackson worked at EA for years, but was also the chair of ELSPA, BAFTA and has been involved in lots of other games industry iniatives.

A few others from the industry have got awards over the years - Peter Molyneaux (Bullfrog/Lionhead), the Darling Brothers (Codemasters) and some from publishers.



Paul also had his fair share of time off - trying to be a rock star in the early CM days (he was in a band called Elevate) - so no, they get the same size medal...

Thats some old school developers i loved bullfrog all of my old amiga games where by them

[Lima owinho]

I'd just like to say thank you for all the kind comments, and wish everyone a very happy new year'

It means a lot.....

Cheers,
Paul :-)

congrats all those long hours of coding that match engine has finally paid off wonder if people will still moan at a member of the empire now, that the defenders split up too much ! :P

Congratulations and keep the good coding going !

[neevesc]

Congratulations

[Allies]

Big up guys, fully deserved!

[Wullie08]

Yeah guys well done

[nev147]

3 pages of congratulations says it all really. Very well done lads!

[Fedal]

Congratulations, its a very deserved award, and i think its came late, but to come late is better then it never come.

[sergioma33]

congratulations from Spain

[buffalo]

I'm not really sure what an MBE is, but congrats

[2mmy]

Congratulations to you both.

As many have already said, much deserved.

Without the games you´ve put out, imagine how much fun, frustration and happiness we all would´ve missed out on since the early days during the 90s and all the way up till today. Thanks a million

Now I must play some more FM

[Jops14]

i just wanted to be another to say congratualtions to you guys, definately deserve it. I dont want to even think how many... months of my life i have spent on this game (spent, not wasted ).

So congratulations again!