Blimey! Games

Blimey! Games was an entertainment software development company based in central London, United Kingdom. It operated as a specialist racing-game developer and was built around the team responsible for GTR – FIA GT Racing Game, a PC title released in 2004. The company was founded in May 2005 by members of that development team and subsequently became associated with a focused portfolio of realistic motorsport and sports-car racing simulations. The studio’s work grew out of the SimBin development tradition. Its personnel contributed to GTR 2 – FIA GT Racing Game and to GT Legends, both of which emphasized licensed or historically grounded racing content, detailed vehicle behavior, and simulation-oriented driving mechanics rather than arcade-style racing. Blimey! Games therefore occupied a specialist position in the PC racing market, where its expertise in physics, vehicle handling, motorsport presentation, and simulation technology formed the core of its identity. The company’s development organization was international in reach despite its London base. It was described as comprising a specialist team of approximately 60 people working from locations around the world. Ian Bell served as chief executive officer; he had previously been managing director and founder of the SimBin development team. His involvement linked Blimey! Games to the team and production experience behind earlier racing projects. In 2006, Blimey! Games and its publisher, 10tacle Studios AG, entered into a licensing agreement with Ferrari for the development of video games. The agreement represented an expansion of the studio’s access to globally recognized automotive intellectual property and was consistent with its focus on licensed racing and sports-car experiences. Blimey! Games ceased operating as an independent business after the financial collapse of 10tacle Studios. Following 10tacle’s insolvency in 2008, Blimey! Games entered administration on 8 January 2009. Its staff were hired, and its business and assets were sold to Slightly Mad Studios Limited, another company established by Ian Bell. The transaction ended Blimey! Games as a standalone developer, while allowing its personnel and technology-related capabilities to continue under a successor organization.

Blimey! Games was established in May 2005 by the development team that had produced GTR – FIA GT Racing Game, a PC racing title released in 2004. The company was based in central London and developed a specialist international organization of approximately 60 people. Its chief executive was Ian Bell, who had previously served as managing director and founder of the SimBin development team. The studio’s early identity was closely tied to realistic racing software. Its team formed part of the core development effort behind GTR 2 – FIA GT Racing Game and GT Legends. These projects placed the company within the simulation-oriented segment of the racing market, emphasizing motorsport settings, detailed vehicles, and driving behavior intended to appeal to dedicated racing enthusiasts. Rather than presenting itself as a broad entertainment publisher, Blimey! Games concentrated on technical development for PC racing and sports-car titles. In 2006, Blimey! Games and its publisher, 10tacle Studios AG, signed a licensing agreement with Ferrari for the development of video games. The agreement gave the developer access to one of the most recognizable automotive brands and extended its work in licensed racing content. The company’s independent existence ended after 10tacle Studios became insolvent in 2008. On 8 January 2009, Blimey! Games entered administration. Its personnel were hired and its business and assets were sold to Slightly Mad Studios Limited, a company also established by Ian Bell. The sale brought the Blimey! Games operation to an end as a separate company, while transferring its staff and assets to another racing-game developer.

• 2009

  Business and assets sold to Slightly Mad Studios

  [1]Blimey! Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  Blimey! Games entered administration on 8 January, after which its staff were hired and its business and assets were sold to Slightly Mad Studios Limited.

• 2008

  10tacle Studios becomes insolvent

  [1]Blimey! Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  The insolvency of publisher 10tacle Studios preceded the financial and organizational failure of Blimey! Games.

• 2006

  Ferrari licensing agreement signed

  [1]Blimey! Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  Blimey! Games and 10tacle Studios AG entered into an agreement with Ferrari for video-game development.

• 2005

  Blimey! Games founded

  [1]Blimey! Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  Members of the GTR development team founded Blimey! Games in May as a specialist entertainment software developer.

• 2004

  GTR – FIA GT Racing Game released

  [1]Blimey! Gamesen.wikipedia.org

  The development team that later founded Blimey! Games produced GTR – FIA GT Racing Game, establishing the racing-simulation expertise associated with the company.

A specialist developer of realistic PC racing simulations, with an emphasis on motorsport authenticity, sports cars, licensed automotive content, and simulation-focused driving.

• PC racing simulation · 2004

  GTR – FIA GT Racing Game

  A PC racing game produced by the development team that later formed Blimey! Games. Its focus on FIA GT competition and simulation-oriented driving established the technical and creative foundation for the company’s subsequent work.

• PC racing simulation

  GTR 2 – FIA GT Racing Game

  A follow-up FIA GT racing simulation for which Blimey! Games formed the core development team. The title continued the studio’s emphasis on realistic racing, detailed cars, and simulation-focused handling.

• Sports-car racing game

  GT Legends

  A sports-car racing title associated with Blimey! Games and its specialist development team. It contributed to the company’s reputation for historically and mechanically detailed racing experiences aimed at enthusiast players.

• 2009

  Sale of Blimey! Games to Slightly Mad StudiosM&A

  Background

  The insolvency of 10tacle Studios in 2008 created financial pressure for Blimey! Games.

  Action taken

  Blimey! Games entered administration on 8 January 2009, and its staff, business, and assets were transferred to Slightly Mad Studios Limited.

  Aftermath

  Blimey! Games ceased operating as an independent company, while its personnel and assets continued under Slightly Mad Studios.

  Source

• 2006

  Ferrari licensing agreementOther

  Background

  Blimey! Games and publisher 10tacle Studios sought to expand their licensed automotive and racing-game activities.

  Action taken

  The companies signed an agreement with Ferrari for the development of video games.

  Aftermath

  The agreement added Ferrari-related intellectual property to the studio’s licensing portfolio, although the available reference does not document a resulting released title.

  Source

1. 1Blimey! Gamesen.wikipedia.org