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Sheffield video game industry pioneer to receive honorary doctorate

The chief of one of the largest independent video game developers in the world is to be recognised by Sheffield Hallam University for his role in kick-starting creative digital industries in South Yorkshire.

James North-Hearn, CEO of the Foundation 9 Entertainment Group, will receive an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam in November.

North-Hearn was previously development director of Gremlin (the Sheffield-based game developer), head of publishing for Infogrames, and a founding director of Sumo-Digital.

In his position at Foundation 9, North-Hearn presides over the activities of Sumo-Digital, which regularly takes on placement students from Sheffield Hallam and has many Sheffield Hallam alumni amongst its staff.

Before the ceremony, North-Hearn will visit the University’s PlayStation 3 development lab and in-house game development studio, Steel Minions.

Professor Roger Eccleston, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts, Computing, Engineering and Sciences, said: “James is a key figure in South Yorkshire’s creative digital industries, and an internationally-recognised industry champion.

“He is a pioneer in the video game industry, and used his background in electronic engineering to help construct development kits for some of the first game consoles.

“He was one of the founders of Sumo-Digital and now, as CEO of Foundation 9 Entertainment, he oversees one of the largest global game development companies, responsible for delivering very successful titles in some of the most exciting gaming franchises in the world.

“James rarely seeks the limelight, but his efforts over the years have contributed greatly to the game development legacy that we have here in Sheffield.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Mark Lane .