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Tim Stamper (born 1961) is a video game designer and founder of several video game development companies most notably including ACG Ltd trading as Ultimate Play the Game and Rare. Tim Stamper and his brother Chris Stamper have created games for the Coin Op Market, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Commodore, BBC Micro, MSX, NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, N64, GameCube and Xbox.[1][2] Tim started in the video game industry during the coin-op boom of the late 70's and early 80's both fixing broken units and developing unique titles. He is most famous for developing several critically acclaimed franchises including Donkey Kong, Banjo Kazooie, Conker and Battletoads.
Tim Stamper | |
|---|---|
 Chris (left) and Tim Stamper (right) outside the FortuneFish offices | |
| Born | Timothy David Joseph Stamper February 17, 1961 UK. |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Game designer |
| Years active | 1978- |
| Known for | |
| Website | www.FortuneFish.co.uk |
As a student in 1979, Tim helped repair faulty coin-op machines part-time, and together with older brother Chris was commissioned to design upgrade concepts. After leaving college, where he studied mechanical and electrical engineering he joined his brother Chris at Exodus Ltd, a splinter group of Zilec Electronics, specialising in Coin-op upgrades. Tim Stamper began his game development career alongside his brother Chris Stamper creating games for 8-bit consoles in the early 80's. The games were created by ACG Ltd and published under the label of Ultimate Play The Game. After 3 years they co-founded another new company named Rare and produced many titles for Nintendo consoles exclusively. This lasted until 2002 at which point Microsoft, creators of the xbox console, bought Rare for a reported $375m.[3] In 2007 both Stamper brothers left Rare to pursue new opportunities, since that point Tim has co-founded a new video game development studio called FortuneFish. In July 2015 Tim and Chris Stamper were awarded with the Develop Legends awards to commemorate their contributions to the video game industry.[2]
Ashby Computers and Graphics Ltd
In 1982 Tim and Chris Stamper founded Ashby Computers and Graphics Ltd after years of programming dozens of arcade games and fixing arcade machines they decided to start a business for themselves.[4] Interestingly Ashby Computers and Graphics products were released under the label Ultimate Play The Game so the Stamper brothers were essentially indie developers acting as both developers (ACG Ltd) and publishers (Ultimate). ACG allowed US Gold to become their distributor in the year 1986? however the rights to the individual IP's were held by the Stamper brothers themselves under the name Ultimate Play The Game.[5]
Ultimate: Play the game
Tim Stamper began the Ultimate game studio with his brother Chris Stamper.[6][7] During the early days the company gave a few interviews which would now be considered a rarity as both Stamper brothers and the companies they created are famed for their secrecy. Ultimate made their debut game Jetpac in 1983 which was released to positive reception from the general public and far surpassing the quality and content of games at that time. Ultimate were arguably most well known for their Sabreman series of games which included Sabre Wulf, Underwurlde and Knight Lore which were released on a myriad of systems including the BBC Micro and Famicom (Japan only).[8]
Rare
Tim and Chris Stamper founded Rare in July 1985 as an entity for diversification in retail shops below the Ultimate offices, later moving to its current home in Twycross.[4] Rare worked very closely with Nintendo and produced many games spanning a whole range of genres throughout its lifetime. Rare is most well known for its die-hard fanbase who covet such titles as Goldeneye, Banjo-Kazooie, Donkey Kong, Conkers Bad Fur Day and Battletoads. Initially Nintendo did not want to work with developers outside Japan, therefore there was no access to development kits - this would not stop the Stamper brothers, they reverse engineered the Famicom (NES) and created some demos which impressed Nintendo enough to work with Rare.[8]
FortuneFish
In 2013 Tim co-founded a new UK based video game developer named FortuneFish. FortuneFish primarily develop mobile phone games with their debut title "That Bouncy Thing" containing much of Rare's colorful character and charm.[9]
Video Games
Arcade
- Super Invader Attack (1978) Zilec[10]
- Space Phantoms (1979) Zilec
- Vortex (1980) Zilec
- Enigma II (1981) Zilec
- GWNN/Saturn (1982) Exodus
- Blue Print (1982) Exodus
- Hunky Dorky (1982) Exodus
- Zog (1982) ACG
- Dingo (1983) ACG
- VS Slalom (1986) Rare Ltd.
- X The Ball (1993) Rare Ltd.
- Super Battletoads (1994) Rare Ltd.
- Killer Instinct (1994) Rare Ltd.[1]
- Killer Instinct 2 (1996) Rare Ltd.[1]
Home Computers
- Cookie (1983) Ultimate[1]
- Jetpac (1983) Ultimate[1]
- Lunar Jetman (1983) Ultimate[1]
- Atic Atac (1983) Ultimate[1]
- Pssst (1983) Ultimate[1]
- Tranz Am (1983) Ultimate[1]
- Sabreman Series (1984-1986) Ultimate[1]
- Alien 8 (1985) Ultimate[1]
- Gunfright (1985) Rare Ltd.
- Nightshade (1985) Ultimate[1]
- Cyberun (1986) Ultimate[1]
- Pentagram (1986) Ultimate[1]
- Bubbler (1987) Ultimate[1]
- Martianoids (1987) Ultimate[1]
Commodore 64
- The Staff Of Karnath (1984), Ultimate[1]
- Blackwyche (1985) Ultimate[1]
- Dragon Skulle (1985) Ultimate[1]
- Entombed (1985) Ultimate[1]
- Imhotep (1985) Ultimate[1]
- Outlaws (1985) Ultimate[1]
NES
- Slalom (1987) Rare Ltd.
- Wizards & Warriors (1987) Rare Ltd.
- The Legend of Elrond (1987) Rare Ltd.
- R.C. Pro-Am (1987) Rare Ltd.
- Jeopardy! (1988) Rare Ltd.
- Wheel of Fortune (1988) Rare Ltd.
- Anticipation (1988) Rare Ltd.
- Sesame Street 123 (1988) Rare Ltd.
- Sesame Street ABC (1988) Rare Ltd.
- Taboo: The Sixth Sense (1988) Rare Ltd.
- Silent Service (1989) Rare Ltd.
- Jeopardy! Junior Edition (1989) Rare Ltd.
- Wheel of Fortune Junior Edition (1989) Rare Ltd.
- Hollywood Squares (1989) Rare Ltd.
- Cobra Triangle (1989) Rare Ltd.
- WWF Wrestlemania (1989) Rare Ltd.
- Jordan vs Bird One on One (1989) Rare Ltd.
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1989) Rare Ltd.
- John Elway's Quarterback (1989) Rare Ltd.
- Marble Madness (1989) Rare Ltd.
- World Games (1989) Rare Ltd.
- California Games (1989) Rare Ltd.
- Ironsword: Wizards & Warriors II (1989) Rare Ltd.
- WWF Wrestlemania Challenge (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Double Dare (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Wheel of Fortune: Family Edition (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Pinbot (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Jeopardy! 25th Anniversary Edition (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Cabal (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Captain Skyhawk (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Snake Rattle 'n' Roll (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Narc (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Time Lord (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Solar Jetman (1990) Rare Ltd.
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Scanner (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Super Gloveball (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Arch Rivals (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Super Off Road (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Digger T Rock (1990) Rare Ltd.
- Pirates! (1991) Rare Ltd.
- Sesame Street ABC & 123 (1991) Rare Ltd.
- Beetlejuice (1991) Rare Ltd.
- High Speed (1991) Rare Ltd.
- Battletoads Series (1991) Rare Ltd.[1]
- Wizards & Warriors III: Kuros: Visions of Power (1992) Rare Ltd.
- Indy Heat (1992) Rare Ltd.
- R.C. Pro-Am II (1992) Rare Ltd.
- Battletoads & Double Dragon (1993) Rare Ltd.
Gameboy
- Wizards & Warriors X: Fortress of Fear (1990) Rare Ltd.
- The Amazing Spiderman (1990) Rare Ltd.
- WWF Superstars (1991) Rare Ltd.
- Sneaky Snakes (1991) Rare Ltd.
- Super R.C. Pro-Am (1991) Rare Ltd.
- Battletoads Ragnarok's World (1992) Rare Ltd.
- Monster Max (1994) Rare Ltd.
- Killer Instinct (1995) Rare.[1]
- Donkey Kong Land (1995) Rare.[1]
- Donkey Kong Land 2 (1996) Rare Ltd.
- Donkey Kong Land 3 (1997) Rare Ltd.
SNES
- Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (1993) Rare Ltd.
- Donkey Kong Country (1994) Rare Ltd.
- Killer Instinct (1995) Rare Ltd.
- Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (1995) Rare Ltd.
- Ken Griffey Jr.'s Winning Run (1996) Rare Ltd.
- Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble (1996) Rare Ltd.
Gameboy Color
- Conker's Pocket Tales (1999) Rare Ltd.
- Mickey's Racing Adventure (1999) Rare Ltd.
- Mickey's Speedway USA (2000) Rare Ltd.
- Perfect Dark (2000) Rare Ltd.[1]
- Donkey Kong Country (2000) Rare Ltd.
Sega Mega Drive
- Snake Rattle n Roll (1993) Rare Ltd.
- Championship Pro-Am (1993) Rare Ltd.
N64
- Killer Instinct Gold (1996) Rare Ltd.
- Diddy Kong Racing (1997) Rare Ltd.
- Blast Corps (1997) Rare Ltd.[1]
- Goldeneye 007 (1997) Rare Ltd.[1]
- Banjo-Kazooie (1998) Rare Ltd.[1]
- Donkey Kong 64 (1998) Rare Ltd.[1]
- Jet Force Gemini (1999) Rare Ltd.[1]
- Perfect Dark (2000) Rare Ltd.[1]
- Mickey's Speedway USA (2000) Rare Ltd.
- Banjo Tooie (2000) Rare Ltd.[1]
- Conkers Bad Fur Day (2001) Rare Ltd.[1]
Gameboy Advance
- Donkey Kong Country (2003) Rare Ltd.[1]
- Banjo-Kazooie Grunty's Revenge (2003) Rare Ltd.
- Sabre Wulf (2004) Rare Ltd.
- Donkey Kong Country 2 (2004) Rare Ltd.
- It's Mr Pants (2004) Rare Ltd.
- Banjo Pilot (2005) Rare Ltd.
- Donkey Kong Country 3 (2005) Rare Ltd.
Gamecube
- Super Smash Bros Melee (2001) Nintendo.
- Star Fox Adventures (2002) Rare Ltd.[1]
Nintendo DS
- Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise (2008) Rare Ltd.
Xbox
- Grabbed by the Ghoulies (2003) Rare Ltd.
- Conker Live & Reloaded (2005) Rare Ltd.
Xbox 360
- Perfect Dark Zero (2005) Rare Ltd.
- Kameo: Elements of Fire (2005) Rare Ltd.
- Viva Pinata (2006) Rare Ltd.
- Jet Pac Refuelled (2007) Rare Ltd.
- Xbox Live Avatars (2008) Rare Ltd.
- Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise (2008) Rare Ltd.
- Banjo Kazooie: Nuts 'n' Bolts (2008) Rare Ltd.
Xbox One
- Rare Replay Compilation (2015) Rare Ltd.
Mobile
Hardware
Toys
- Battletoads LCD Game (1991) Rare Ltd.[13]
- Electronic Hot Shot Basketball (1992)
- Travel Hot Shot Basketball (1992)
- Playground Street Sports (1995)
Filmography
- Bad Influence! - TV Series Episode #3.6
- Donkey Kong Country Exposed (Documentary)
BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards
- Best UK Developer (1998) Rare[14]
- Best Game (1998) Goldeneye 007[14]
- Best UK Developer (1999) Rare[14]
- Moving Images (2000) Perfect Dark[14]
- Moving Images (2000) Banjo-Tooie (Nominee)[14]
- Sound (2001) Conker's Bad Fur Day[14]
- Artistic Achievement (2007) Viva Pinata (Nominee)[14]
- Original Score (2007) Viva Pinata (Nominee)[14]
Golden Joystick Awards
- Software House of the Year (1983) Ultimate Play The Game[15]
- Game of the Year (1983) Jet Pac[15]
- Best Original Game of the Year (1983) Pssst (Nominee)[15]
- Software House of the Year (1984) Ultimate Play The Game[15]
- Game of the Year (1984) Knight Lore[15]
- Programmer of the Year (1984) Ultimate Play The Game[15]
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Awards
- Interactive Title of the Year (1998) Goldeneye 007[16]
- Console Action Game of the Year (1998) Goldeneye 007[16]
- Console Game of the Year (1998) Goldeneye 007[16]
- Outstanding Software Engineering (1998) Goldeneye 007[16]
- Outstanding Arts/Graphics (1998) Goldeneye 007 (Nominee)[16]
- Outstanding Interactive Design (1998) Goldeneye 007 (Nominee)[16]
- Console Racing Game of the Year (1998) Diddy Kong Racing[16]
- Action Game of the Year (1999) Banjo-Kazooie[16]
- Outstanding Art Direction (1999) Banjo-Kazooie[16]
- Console Adventure Game of the Year (1999) Banjo-Kazooie[16]
- Game of the Year (1999) Banjo-Kazooie[16]
- Game of the Year (2000) Donkey Kong 64 (Nominee)[16]
- Console Game of the Year (2000) Donkey Kong 64 (Nominee)[16]
- Console Action/Adventure Game (2001) Banjo-Tooie (Nominee)[16]
- Console Family Game (2001) Donkey Kong Country (Nominee)[16]
- Console Game of the Year (2001) Banjo-Tooie (Nominee)[16]
- Game of the Year (2001) Banjo-Tooie (Nominee)[16]
- Console Action/Adventure Game (2002) Conker's Bad Fur Day (Nominee)[16]
- Character/Story Development (2002) Conker's Bad Fur Day (Nominee)[16]
- Console Family Game (2004) Grabbed by the Ghoulies (Nominee)[16]
- Outstanding Original Music (2004) Grabbed by the Ghoulies (Nominee)[16]
- Outstanding Original Music (2006) Kameo (Nominee)[16]
- Outstanding Visual Engineering (2006) Kameo (Nominee)[16]
- Outstanding Character (Female) (2007) Viva Pinata [16]
- Console Game of the Year (2007) Viva Pinata (Nominee)[16]
- Family Game of the Year (2007) Viva Pinata (Nominee)[16]
- Outstanding Art Direction (2007) Viva Pinata (Nominee)[16]
- Outstanding Visual Engineering (2007) Viva Pinata (Nominee)[16]
- Outstanding Gaming Innovation (2007) Viva Pinata (Nominee)[16]
Develop Awards
- Develop: Legend Award (2015)[2]
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