TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry, is delighted to congratulate Jason and Chris Kingsley on both receiving the honour of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Both long-time supporters of TIGA, Jason Kingsley (pictured below, left) is the organisation’s Chairman, while Chris Kingsley (pictured below, right) is Chair of the TIGA Education Committee and Screen Skills’ Video Games Skills Council.
Outside of TIGA Jason and Chris Kingsley have created the UK’s leading independent video games development business: Rebellion. They have grown Rebellion into an extensive group of media and entertainment operations covering books, comics, TV, film and board games.
Since founding Rebellion in 1992, Jason and Chris have produced more than 100 games, over 20 of which have been worldwide number one hits. Rebellion’s critically acclaimed games include: Aliens Vs Predator; The Simpsons Game; Star Wars Battlefront; Zombie Army; and Battlezone. The studio’s flagship Sniper Elite games series has sold more than 40 million units sold worldwide.
Rebellion directly employs 600 people and engages another 500 contractors. The company contributes to regional economic growth with studios based in Oxford, Warwick, Liverpool and Wakefield. Rebellion is also the largest independent games developer in the UK.
Jason and Chris have also expanded Rebellion into comics, books, film and television and tabletop gaming:
- Comics: Rebellion has the rights to comic classics including 2000 AD (featuring Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog, Slaine and Rogue Trooper); Charley’s War; Billy Bunter; Sexton Blake; Misty; Tammy; Battle; The Spider; and Roy of the Rovers.
- Books: Jason and Chris have published several hundred science fiction and fantasy books via Abaddon Books and Solaris Books.
- Film and Television: In 2018 Rebellion opened its state-of-the-art Rebellion Film and TV studios in Didcot, releasing the first Rebellion-produced feature film, Schools Out Forever, in 2021. Jason also presents and produces the Modern History TV channel on YouTube.
- Tabletop Gaming: Rebellion publishes board games and miniature figures.
Dr Richard Wilson OBE, CEO of TIGA, said:
“I am delighted that Jason and Chris have been awarded CBEs. Jason and Chris thoroughly deserve this recognition, given the enormous contribution they have made to the UK video games industry and the impact they have made in other creative industries such as comics, publishing, film, television and tabletop gaming. Jason and Chris have also made a significant commitment to the work of TIGA and to our goal of making the UK the best place in the world to develop video games. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement.”