Core Design

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Template:Use British English

* Eidos Interactive (1996–2006)

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**Rebellion (Derby) Ltd** (formerly **Core Design Limited**) was a British video game developer based in Derby, England. Founded in May 1988 by former Gremlin Graphics employees, it originally bore the name Megabrite until rebranding as Core Design in October the same year. The company was acquired by umbrella company CentreGold in December 1994, which in turn was acquired by Eidos Interactive in April 1996. Following the latter acquisition, Core Design was re-organised as a subsidiary of Eidos Interactive, while other CentreGold components were either closed or sold off. In May 2006, the Core Design personnel and assets were acquired by Rebellion Developments, and the company became Rebellion Derby, which was then shut down in March 2010.

## History

### Beginnings (1988–1994)

Based in the city of Derby, England, Core Design was founded in 1988 by Chris Shrigley, Andy Green, Rob Toone, Terry Lloyd, Simon Phipps, Dave Pridmore, Jeremy Heath-Smith, Kevin Norburn and Greg Holmes. Most were former employees of Gremlin Graphics. The studio was part of distribution company CentreGold when it was acquired by Eidos Interactive in 1996. Eidos subsequently sold most of CentreGold, but retained U.S. Gold, the owners of Core Design. Core had a brief history of producing titles for the Sega consoles, such as *Thunderhawk* for Mega-CD and the original *Tomb Raider* game for the Saturn.

### Acquisition by CentreGold, *Tomb Raider* (1994–2003)

The company is widely known for the *Tomb Raider* series. The first game was created by Toby Gard and Paul Douglas, which was released in 1996 and followed by several sequels. The success of *Tomb Raider* and its subsequent sequels played a huge part in keeping Eidos Interactive financially solvent.Template:Citation needed After the successful Saturn debut of the original *Tomb Raider* a full month and a half ahead of the PlayStation version, Sony decided to use the brand to boost sales of its own console.Template:Citation needed In September 1997, Sony's U.S. arm, SCEA, signed an exclusivity deal with Eidos to keep the franchise on their consoles. The agreement was extended to include *Tomb Raider III*. The fourth and fifth games in the franchise, *Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation* and *Tomb Raider Chronicles* respectively, were released for Sega Dreamcast.

### *Tomb Raider* IP loss (2003–2006)

After the critical failure of *Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness* in 2003, parent company Eidos put Crystal Dynamics, another Eidos-owned studio, in charge of *Tomb Raider* franchise development. This prompted key members of the Core Design management team and several others to leave the company and establish a development company of their own, Circle Studio.

### Sale to Rebellion Developments and closure (2006–2010)

In May 2006, Eidos announced that independent developer Rebellion Developments had acquired Core Designs' assets and staff, while the Core brand and intellectual property, including *Tomb Raider*, remained in Eidos' possession.

In June 2006, Crystal Dynamics was confirmed to have a PSP anniversary edition of the original *Tomb Raider* in development. Remnants of the Core Design team (under the banner of Rebellion) went on to work on several titles in years since, including *Shellshock 2: Blood Trails* and *Rogue Warrior*. Starting in January 2010, due to an expiring lease on Rebellion Derby's offices, Rebellion Developments started seeking restructuring opportunities for the studio. As no other possibility than closure was found, Rebellion Derby was closed down effective on 17 March 2010.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Moss, Richard (31 March 2015). ""It felt like robbery": *Tomb Raider* and the fall of Core Design". *Ars Technica*. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160407194918/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/03/it-felt-like-robbery-tomb-raider-and-the-fall-of-core-design/1/. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
2. ↑ Newsweek staff (9 November 1997). "Lara Croft, The Bit Girl". Newsweek Inc.. http://www.newsweek.com/lara-croft-bit-girl-171024.
3. ↑ Template:Cite press release
4. ↑ "Sony Computer Entertainment America Signs Exclusive Deal with Eidos for Tomb Raider Franchise; Lara Croft Videogames to Be Exclusive to the PlayStation for Game Consoles". *Business Wire*. CBS Interactive Business UK. 18 September 1997. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi\_m0EIN/is\_1997\_Sept\_18/ai\_19760956/?tag=content;col1. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
5. ↑ "Lara leaves UK", *BBC News* (31 July 2003). Retrieved on 1 July 2009.
6. ↑ Fox, Fennec (15 July 2003). "Tomb Raider Co-Creator Steps Down". GamePro.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080123002355/http://www.gamepro.com/news.cfm?article\_id=30220. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
7. ↑ Gibson, Ellie (16 June 2006). "Rebellion acquires Core Design staff and assets". http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/rebellion-acquires-core-design-staff-and-assets.
8. ↑ Elliott, Phil (16 June 2006). "Rebellion finalizes Core buyout". http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rebellion-finalizes-core-buyout/1100-6152833.
9. ↑ Template:Citeweb
10. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (17 June 2006). "PSP: Tomb Raider 10th Anniversary Edition Cancelled, Announced". Kotaku.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090417042333/http://kotaku.com/gaming/psp/tomb-raider-10th-anniversary-edition-cancelled-announced-181505.php. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
11. ↑ Robinson, Martin (14 January 2010). "Aliens vs. Predator Campaign Hands-on". ign.com. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/106/1061121p1.html. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
12. ↑ https://www.mcvuk.com/development/rebellion-confirms-restructure
13. ↑ https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/rebellion-confirms-derby-closure-cuts-at-oxford-studio