AT the age of just 13, Brian Jobling developed anti-piracy software in his bedroom which was snapped up by multi-national company Virgin.
Today, he heads up Eutchenyx -one of the world’s leading racing game developers. Creating award winning games for the likes of Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox and Nintendo GameCube, the Gateshead-based company now has a turnover of £4m and ranks within the top five gaming companies in the world.
The huge rise in the world of on-line gaming is set to drive Eutechnyx even further forward in its quest to become ‘the world’s leading driving game development studio.’
The internet has changed the face of many businesses over the past decade, and the computer games industry is no different. The concept of a worldwide audience competing against each other is an area in which it sees much potential. Brian’s brother and Eutechnyx director Paul Jobling explains:
“Despite being around for many years, the internet is still a fledgling side of the gaming business and we see huge potential in this area. We are looking to expand our on-line technology, creating the opportunity for people all over the world to race each other.
“Despite the growing popularity of on-line gaming, there is still huge social value in playing games with friends. Most of today’s consoles have on-line capability, so the two can work in parallel.”
In spite of the on-going debates about children spending too much time playing on computer games, Paul says the profile of the average player is getting older.
“It has been said that computer games have come out of the children’s rooms into the living room. It’s definitely as popular with adults as it is with children, and the average player profile is now aged between 8 and 34.
“People in their 30s have grown up with computer games and have never really stopped playing them. It terms of children playing too many computer games, it’s up to responsible parents to ensure they are stimulated in other areas of their lives. It’s all about striking the right balance.”
Specialising in driving and racing simulations, Eutechnyx has produced globally renowned driving games like Total Drivin', Max Power Racing, Le Mans 24 Hours, and more recently the controversial Big Mutha Truckers.
Eutechnyx’s history goes back almost as far as home computer games themselves, and at the age of just 17, Brian launched Zeppelin Games in Newcastle. The business quickly expanded and the re-named Eutechnyx moved to larger premises.
A period of prolific growth followed and by 1990 Eutechnyx had developed over 250 game titles. It also pioneered the idea of licensed property, winning several major TV and sports personality licenses. The rise of the new Sega and Nintendo consoles in the early 1990s, also opened new and exciting avenues for the company.
In 1993 Eutechnyx was bought by Dallas-based Merit Software, which allowed the company to expand further and move to its current site in Gateshead. After just three years, Merit Software couldn’t see a future in the newly developed Sony PlayStation, branding it a rank outsider to Nintendo-the global leader at that time.
Brian’s foresight prompted him to back the Sony PlayStation, and parting company with Merit, Eutechnyx never looked back.
The development of even more powerful games consoles led to Eutechnyx obtaining both registered developer and publisher status for Sony PlayStation in 1996. The success of games like Total Drivin', Max Power Racing and Le Mans 24 Hours, developed for Sony PlayStation, led Eutechnyx to break the £1m sales barrier in 1998. Within two years this had doubled.
More recent advances in technology has taken Eutechnyx up a further gear, with the 2003 launch of Big Mutha Truckers for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube and PC. The game became a top six best seller on PS2 in the USA, and sold over a million units.
Further success came in 2004 when Eutechnyx’s Street Racing Syndicate reached number one in the USA on Box and number four on the PlayStation 2.Eutechnyx now employs around 100 staff at its Gateshead base, and around 35 in Far East subsidiaries.
Eutechnyx’s expansion into the Far East has led to the creation of managerial jobs in the UK. It is also looking to recruit more graduates to add to the current team. Paul said:
“The lack of top class graduates is one of the largest inhibitors in this industry. We are continually looking for recruit more graduates and experienced video game developers with qualifications in mathematical sciences such as physics, computing, artificial intelligence or with an appropriate graphic art based degree.”
Despite helping to boost the UK’s economy, the industry doesn’t get the recognition it deserves according to Paul.
“The majority of games Eutechnyx produces are aimed at the US market, which means we contribute significantly to the UK’s export market. People think it’s still a semi-amateur profession but this is not the case.
“The computer games industry is a very ‘can-do’, positive, and young sector and it earns the UK a lot of money. It doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.”
Eutechnyx is now moving into next-generation games for the new Xbox 360 and developing technology for the Sony PlayStation 3.
The company is currently developing a number of titles including The Fast and the Furious for Namco Bandai Games Inc, Pimp My Ride for Activision, and Cartoon Network Racing for The Games Factory.
“Eutechnyx has been an evolution and the value of the company is in its technology. Our game engines are continuously developed and under constant evolution.
“We don’t do violence. The vast number of people just want to drive fast cars and have fun. Our games give people the opportunity to drive the car they aspire to drive.
“We operate in a hugely competitive sector, but we have earned ourselves a top reputation for innovation and technical excellence.”