David Jones, founder and creator of Dundee's Realtime Worlds, the UK's leading independent video game developer, was awarded the evening's top award - Director of the Year 2009 - by the Institute of Directors, Scotland.

As well as taking the main award in recognition of his services to industry in Scotland, Jones was also announced as the Regional Director of the Year for Tayside, at the gala event held in Edinburgh. His win was announced in front of hundreds of finalists and assorted guests by the event's host, TV and radio broadcaster Kaye Adams.

Jones said: "It is enormously flattering to be shortlisted amongst such distinguished company, but to be awarded Director of the Year is something else entirely. When we founded Realtime Worlds in Dundee in 2002, we were, and still are, astounded by the fabulous game development talent available to us in Scotland. These awards are graciously received on behalf of everyone that has contributed to the company's success."

David Hamilton, managing director of Digital Goldfish Ltd took the PSYBT Director Award on the night. Established in 2005, Dundee-based Digital Goldfish is an independent games development studio. The company was formed in order to create original content for mobile platform, providing only the highest quality games across iPhone, iPod Touch, Sony PSP, Nintendo DS and mobile J2ME platforms.

"We've had enormous support over the years, particularly from PSYBT regional manager, Catherine Ward. This award is down to the hard work of the whole team at Digital Goldfish, particularly Barry Petrie. Dundee is the centre of games development in Scotland and this award confirms the region's growing importance in this sector."

Dundee continues to grow as a global centre of excellence in innovation. The games industry is supported by Interactive Tayside, a partnership between public, private and academic sectors to develop and promote Tayside's digital media industry. Currently, there are over 350 businesses operating in the area of digital media in Tayside, employing over 3,300 people and generating a combined annual turnover in excess of £185 million. 

The sector has experienced growth in employment of 225% since the year 2000 and a further 2,000 jobs are expected to be created in the sector within the next three years (by 2010).

David Hutcheson, chair of Tayside IoD comments: "We are delighted with the success of the two Tayside candidates for this year's awards. It confirms Tayside's strength in this area and the continued influence of the Dundee games sector. We look forward to ongoing growth of the games industry and the high level of skills it attracts to the region."

David Watt, IoD Scotland executive director, said: "As the founder and creative director of Realtime Worlds, Davids intuitive feel for the computer games market, his understanding of marketing and ability to develop strategic alliances has made his company a true global player in this lucrative and growing business. On the back of worldwide recognised games such as Grand Theft Auto, Dundee is now regarded as a global hotspot for this section of the IT world, attracting businesses and skilled programmers from all corners of the globe to Scotland."

Contact: Donna Fordyce
Phone: 01382 305585
Email: donna.fordyce@scotent.co.uk