UK games industry veteran, developer and business director of Sumo Digital, Ian Richardson, has died at the age of 53.
Richardson spent 30 years in the games industry working in business development and sales roles for studios such as Ocean Software, Rage, and Europress.
However, he is best known for his role as Sumo Digital’s studio business development director where he spent six years.
Over the years, Richardson has been credited on multiple games including Forza Horizon 4, Forza Motorsport 7, Team Sonic Racing, and more. He was also an ambassador for the UK charity SpecialEffect and helped raise a significant amount of money.
To all our friends in the industry, the terrible news this weekend of the passing of Ian Richardson has hit us hard. Sumo has lost one of its brightest stars. Gone suddenly and far too early, our thoughts are with his family and all that loved him.https://t.co/tR9Za9nMmC
— Sumo Digital (@SumoDigitalLtd) July 27, 2021
Sumo Digital issued a statement to GamesIndustry which said: “To all our friends in the industry, the terrible news this weekend of the passing of Ian Richardson has hit us hard.
“Sumo has lost one of its brightest stars. Gone suddenly and far too early, our thoughts are with his family and all that loved him at this time.
“The outpouring of emotion on social media and in the emails and calls we have received this weekend from his friends around the world, is testament to his character and standing in an industry he had been part of almost since it began.
“The loss of Ian leaves a hole in Sumo, in the industry, and in all of us who were lucky enough to call him our friend. He will be greatly missed.”
As GamesIndustry reports, Richardson’s sudden death is believed to be the result of natural causes. He leaves behind four children – Stef, Britt, Miles, Isobel and his partner Nikki Thurston.
Following the passing of Berserk creator, Kentaro Miura, Final Fantasy XIV players paid tribute in-game.
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