2026 inductees to the UK Games Industry Hall of Fame announced

5th March 2026, 10pm: The UK Games Industry Hall of Fame celebrates the pioneers whose creative achievements have shaped the video games and interactive entertainment sector. From developers and designers to publishers and advocates, this prestigious accolade recognises their lasting impact on the UK games industry, both at home and globally. 

Now in its third year, the Hall of Fame is a way of recognising those that have shaped and continue to shape the modern video games industry. Current alumni of the Hall of Fame include Sir Demis Hassabis, Carolin Krenzer and David Brabin. You can find out more at ukie.org.uk/uk-hall-of-fame. 

This year, we are delighted to announce the inclusion of four trailblazing individuals to the Hall of Fame: 

• Debbie Bestwick MBE: “Debbie Bestwick co-founded Team17 in 1990 and has spent more than three decades helping shape the UK video games industry. Becoming sole CEO in 2010 after acquiring her co-founders’ shares, she transformed Team17 from a studio best known for the Worms franchise into a respected independent publishing powerhouse. Under her leadership, Team17 successfully floated on AIM in 2018, marking one of the most significant public listings in the UK games sector. Awarded an MBE in 2016 for services to the video games industry, she was also named Person of the Year and inducted into the Women in Games Hall of Fame in 2015, recognising both her commercial impact and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion.” 

• Richard Bartle, MUD: co-created MUD (Multi-User Dungeon) in 1978 with Roy Trubshaw at the University of Essex, pioneering the first virtual world and massively multiplayer online gaming. He earned a PhD in artificial intelligence, authored the seminal Designing Virtual Worlds (2003), and developed the influential Bartle player types taxonomy. He received the Game Developers Choice Pioneer Award in 2005 and the Online Game Legend Award in 2010. 

• Jon Ingold, Inkle: Jon co-founded the award-winning studio Inkle, creating acclaimed narrative games including 80 Days (TIME’s 2014 Game of the Year), Heaven’s Vault, and Overboard! He co-developed the open-source ink scripting language, and has won the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain award for game writing three times. He regularly gives talks on narrative design that are used by universities and major game studios all around the world.  

• Kristian Segerstrale, Super Evil Mega Corp: co-founded Macrospace (now Glu Mobile) in 2001, which IPO’d in 2007. He co-founded and led social gaming pioneer Playfish as CEO until its $400 million acquisition by Electronic Arts in 2009, then served as EVP Digital at EA. He led the seed investment into Supercell and became CEO of Super Evil Megacorp in 2014, creating acclaimed mobile MOBA Vainglory. 

Debbie Bestwick said: 

“This is such an incredible honour after 4 decades in Games. When we started Team17, we were simply kids making games we loved to play — and, yes, making sure the sheep in Worms exploded on cue. Truthfully, there were times along the way when the future didn’t feel certain. The industry changes, risks are real, and backing bold ideas isn’t always the safest path. But what carried us through were people — brilliant, stubbornly creative developers who believed their ideas mattered. From the chaos and laughter of Overcooked, Worms and Golf with Your Friends, to the haunting quiet of Dredge, the charm of Yoku’s Island Express, the intensity of Hell Let Loose, and the ingenious prison breaks of The Escapists — each game represents a team that took a leap of faith. Working with incredible partners reinforced something I’ve always believed: when you trust creative people, remove the boring parts that suck time then extraordinary things can happen.”

“The real credit however belongs to the artists, designers, engineers and storytellers who pour their hearts into what they create — often late into the night, fuelled by passion and determination. Games aren’t just products; they’re shared experiences. They make us laugh, test our friendships, immerse us in worlds beyond our own, and sometimes give us comfort when we need it most. If this journey has taught me anything, it’s that resilience matters — and so does courage. The future of games belongs to those bold enough to take risks, to lift others up, and to keep believing in the power of play. Here’s to the next generation, to embracing the challenges ahead, and to building worlds that bring us closer together. Thank you.”

Jon Ingold said:

“I’m thrilled to be inducted into the Games Hall of Fame. I’ve been making games and exploring interactive storytelling all my life, and I’m deeply grateful for all the recognition and attention that inkle has received: it’s beyond anything I could have expected.”

Richard Bartle said: 

“Awards are usually given to people who have met with commercial success. If you found a company that makes you a billion pounds, you get a seat in the House of Lords; if you found an industry that makes other people thirty billion pounds a year, you get to be an emeritus professor at a provincial UK university. Fortunately for me, Ukie has not fallen into this trap, and it recognises the contributions of all creatives, not just CEOs. Given the calibre of the other recipients, I’m absolutely chuffed to find myself honoured with an entry into its Hall of Fame”

Kristian Segerstråle said: 

“I grew up inspired by the creativity and ambition of the UK games industry, so to be included among the people who helped define it is deeply humbling. Our sector has always punched above its weight because of the talent, resilience, and originality of its creators. I’m grateful to have played a small part in evolving that story across platforms and business models, and incredibly honoured by this recognition.”