John Tearle grew up playing computer games and had always wanted to pursue a career in creative technologies. He has not only achieved that dream for himself, he is now able to help make it a reality for others too.
It was not until John went back into education as a mature student in 2007, to study Computer Games Design at the University of Wolverhampton, that an opportunity to move into games full time arose.
He had dipped his toe into the games world with a part-time contract with the video game developer Codemasters in 2004, but it was his university years that proved the most formative for the career that was to come.
“Whilst at University I had the privilege to meet a number of very talented indie-developers, two of whom later became business partners at Flix Interactive,” said John.
“The core studio team formed at the start of the recession in 2008, built around a project that my co-founder and I developed outside of studies.
“It was ambitious in scope beyond our means, but with the industry maturing toward freely accessible toolsets and with few job options due to the economic climate, we made every effort to exploit the opportunity and turned the project-team into a sustainable business over the subsequent years.”
Flix Interactive was officially founded in 2012 with ambitious goals to support the best graduates into industry and to craft the highest quality content.
Since then the studio has won multiple awards, grown to support 150 developers and works on BAFTA-award-winning games with partners such as Epic Games, Microsoft, Rare, Xbox Game Studios, Sumo Digital, Team17 and many more.
John has built an enduring relationship with Staffordshire University over the years including helping to support Games students with their career progression.
He said: “During this time I have had the privilege to build strong ties with Staffordshire University and in 2011 I had the pleasure to introduce the University to Epic Games.
“In the following years Flix Interactive and Staffordshire University have partnered on multiple projects, Flix has sponsored student events, we have helped to build course content, provided guest lecturers and, in general, worked with the faculty to create opportunities for graduates to establish careers of their own.”
John said he is delighted to be made an Honorary Doctor of Staffordshire University.
“It is a pleasure and a privilege to support anyone in the pursuit of their dream career, and to receive an award in recognition of this is a delight.
“I gladly dedicate this award to all of those people who have helped me to achieve my goals and to anyone who works tirelessly in the pursuit of their dreams.”