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Sir Peter Molyneux?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the thats-quite-a-promotion dept.

KBV writes "It seems that for the first time in history a games developer has been granted an OBE (Order Of the British Empire) by the Queen of England. When Peter Molyneux - the creator of Black & White, Fable, Populous and many other games - was asked by BBC News about the honor he simply said "It's come completely out of the blue, I never would have guessed that I'd have that kind of honour." For the games industry as a whole, this is very much a good thing. It's great that developers are being recognized for their hard work and cultural impact on the world."

10 of 298 comments (clear)

  1. No by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    To answer your question, "Sir Peter Molyneux?", the answer is no. He's been awarded an OBE not a knighthood.

    OBE incidentally, is a three-letter acronym meaning, "Other Bugger's Energy".

  2. a small point... by doofusclam · · Score: 5, Informative

    ... but the award is actually decided firstly by a 'relevent' government committee, and the prime minister comes in later on. At no point does the Queen decide who receives the awards - she simply hands them over.

  3. not sir by raindrop#1 · · Score: 5, Informative

    It's Peter Molyneux OBE, rather than Sir Peter. He wasn't awarded a knighthood. Well done him though.

    And it might be worth mentioning that Her Majesty is Queen of an awful lot of other places as well as England.

    1. Re:not sir by PhatAir · · Score: 5, Informative

      The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in order of seniority:

      * Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GBE)
      * Knight or Dame Commander (KBE or DBE)
      * Commander (CBE)
      * Officer (OBE)
      * Member (MBE)

      Only the two highest ranks are knightly (at which point you can call yourself sir).

      See the full wikipedia entry here

  4. Not Quite Sir by defsdoor · · Score: 3, Informative

    Recipients of a KBE (Knight of the British Empire) are called Sir. Whereas KBEs are limited in number (a KBE has to die before another can be kinghted) OBEs are quite commonplace - frequently given to non-celebs that do a service to their community etc..

    1. Re:Not Quite Sir by mOoZik · · Score: 3, Informative

      According to WikiPedia:

      The Order is limited to 100 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 845 Knights and Dames Commanders, and 8960 Commanders. There are no limits on the total number of members of the fourth and fifth classes, but no more than 858 Officers and 1464 Members may be appointed per year.

      --
      A blog like any other.
  5. Jez San might object to the "first" bit by antime · · Score: 5, Informative

    Jez San of the late Argonaut Software received the title in 2002. Good research!

  6. *cough* wrong expansion of OBE by Anonymous+Cowpat · · Score: 4, Informative

    although the letters obe mean order of the british empire, they refer to several actual 'titles'
    If you get an OBE it stands for Officer of the British Empire, a specific title. Above MBE (member) and below CBE (commander).

    Free pedant points please

    --
    FGD 135
  7. Re:Knighthood has lost its "gold" by Alci12 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Its not on the death of a specific person it's a fixed numerical limit. "The Order is limited to 100 Knights and Dames Grand Cross, 845 Knights and Dames Commanders, and 8960 Commanders." so as long as there are only 844 knights you don't have to wait! NB Other orders exist with similar classes eg KCB

  8. Re:only partly true by delphi125 · · Score: 3, Informative

    According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_II_of_the_U nited_Kingdom ...

    As well as being Queen of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth is head of state of fifteen other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, known as the Commonwealth Realms. These countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.