31X - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- British Programmer
- Creator and Executive Producer
Chris Sawyer entered the games industry in 1983, writing games in Z80 machine code. From 1988 to 1993, Chris worked on PC conversions of Amiga games and was involved in many well-known projects, including Virus (1989), Elite Plus (1990), Campaign (1992), Birds of Prey (1992), Dino Dini's Goal (1993), and Frontier Elite2 (1993).
Since 1993, Chris has been developing original games on the PC, the first of which was Transport Tycoon, published by Microprose in 1994, together with a 'World Editor' version of Transport Tycoon in mid-1995, then Transport Tycoon Deluxe at the end of that year. Chris's next big project was RollerCoaster Tycoon, published by Hasbro Interactive early in 1999, followed by two add-on packs Added Attractions/Corkscrew Follies in late 1999 and Loopy Landscapes in September 2000. RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 was released through Infogrames in 2002. The long-awaited sequel to Transport Tycoon, Chris Sawyer's Locomotion, was finally completed and released through Atari in October 2004.
Guy has a background in publishing, small company finance, and law. Currently works in a wide range of industries dealing with intellectual property, and has provided Marjacq and its clients with advice on contractual and financial issues since 1993.
Hetal Bhuva has over 10 years experience in the games industry in various managerial roles. She works as business consultant and Producer for social games across digital platforms such as Facebook, iOS, and Android.
Hetal was Business Development Director at Immersive Games, London for last 3 years. She was co-founder of Octoplus Entertainment; one of the first outsource game development companies in India in 2001, and sold the company four years later. Subsequently she co-founded Aurona in 2004, contributing to titles such as "Colin McRae: DIRT", "The Regiment", "Dancing with the Stars", "Cursed Mountain" and "Hanuman: Boy Warrior". Hetal's experience spans operational and business development roles in the UK and India. She is one of the most experienced professionals in outsource game development, having delivered value to publishers and developers by facilitating smooth working relationship between the central development teams and the outsource developers.
Having founded Marjacq Micro in 1984 as the worldâs first games development agency, Jacqui has been an agent for nearly 40 years. She has represented Chris Sawyer and all his creations, Transport Tycoon, Locomotion and Roller Coaster Tycoon for multiple platforms for over 20 years.
Jacqui was not only years ahead of the rest of the industry in striving to establish mature business practices and relationships between developer and publisher but has been at the forefront of this important function of our industry for the past 25 years.
As an energetic executive with extensive advertising and marketing experience across a breadth of categories in both packaged goods and service based businesses, John also has a particular strength in leading new business development. Most recently, John headed up new business development at DHI Advertising in Vero Beach, FL, as well as consulting for emerging Internet companies.
Beginning his career in New York at SSC&B Advertising, John moved to Boston and worked in several of the major advertising agencies such as HBM and Ingalls before taking a position with Hasbro Interactive/Atari as CMO and General Manager. While at HI/Atari, John played a key role in ensuring the success of many computer and video games including RollerCoaster Tycoon. John has also been involved in community activities helping to transition the Salem Boys Club to the Salem Boys and Girls Club in the 1980's to working with the Environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach.
Film and Interactive Agent, joined in 2002 having previously worked in feature film production, development and finance. Luke represents screenwriters and directors, along with film rights to the various film and interactive intellectual properties, Marjacq also represents. As an interactive agent, Luke has represented and sold a range of cross platform titles to date.