 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1994; 30 years ago (1994) |
| Founders | |
| Headquarters |
,
England
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Key people |
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| Products |
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Number of employees | 285[1] (2024) |
| Parent | Sega (2006–present) |
| Website | sports-interactive.com |
Sports Interactive Limited is a British video game developer based in London, best known for the Football Manager series. Founded by brothers Oliver and Paul Collyer in July 1994, the studio was acquired by Japanese video game publisher Sega in 2006 and became part of Sega Europe.[3] In addition to its work on Football Manager, the studio has also created a number of other sports-management simulations, including NHL Eastside Hockey Manager and Championship Manager Quiz, and is the former developer of Championship Manager.
Founded by Paul Collyer and Oliver Collyer, the company is commonly abbreviated to "SI" amongst fans of their games.[citation needed]
In 2003, Sports Interactive split with former publisher Eidos Interactive and signed a deal with Sega to continue their flagship sports franchise under the new name, Football Manager. After the split, both parties kept their intellectual property. Sports Interactive kept the base code, the game database and programming of the game, whilst Eidos kept the rights to the Championship Manager franchise.[citation needed]
On 28 June 2012, Miles Jacobson and Ian Livingstone revealed why they split from Eidos Interactive and joined Sega. In a chat with GameHorizon, Jacobson thought that Beautiful Game Studios was brought in to take over Championship Manager, whilst Livingstone thought that Eidos Interactive brought Beautiful Game Studios to protect the firm in case Sports Interactive jumped ship. Jacobson commented, saying, "I'm sure there are two sides to this story, at the time we felt there was a lack of respect that we did for our work from Eidos. There seemed to be an attitude at the time in the industry that anyone could make games." He continued by saying, "Eidos wanted more control. We wanted more control. We were asking for high royalties. Eidos set up Beautiful Game Studios nine months before Championship Manager 4 was due to come out. They told me that BGS were making a platform game. I thought our number was up."[4]
He then further elaborated by saying, "I went for a curry with the CEO of Sega in Japan and Europe, and he made me an offer on a napkin, I kept telling them we were not for sale. I told them they would have to double the offer for me to even discuss it with Paul and Oliver Collyer."[4]
On 4 April 2006, it was announced that Sega Holdings Europe Ltd, holding company for Sports Interactive's publisher's Sega, had acquired Sports Interactive. When Sega acquired the company, it had 34 employees.[2]
In 2018, Sports Interactive relocated from Old Street in Islington to the Here East development in Stratford. Now occupying half of the first floor in the Press Centre, the studio now has 285 permanent employees in addition to more than 1,400 researchers worldwide for its Football Manager games.
The studio is closely linked with War Child and since 2006 has donated a percentage of each game sale directly to the charity. To date, this initiative has raised a total of more than £1.5m.[5]
The studio has begun developing partnerships with leading football clubs and other organisations in recent years. These include Manchester City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford FC, Burnley FC, Venezia FC and Stormzy's project Merky FC.[6]
On May 29th 2024, the studio launched a rebrand. Done in conjunction with design practice Monday Nights, the most significant element was the studio updating its logo for the first time since 2004.[7]
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This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2010)
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The Collyers were appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours for services to the video game industry.[9] Miles Jacobson was appointed an OBE[10] the following year.
In 2021, Sports Interactive were won a 'Best Places to Work' Award at the GamesIndustry.Biz Best Places to Work Awards. They won the same accolade again in 2023.[11]
In 2022, the studio won the MCV/Develop Legend Award at the 2022 MCV/Develop Awards.[12]
In May 2024, the studio was nominated for the Sustainability Star Award at the Develop:Star Awards.[13]
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