DIRT and GRID exec producer leaves Codemasters

Codemasters has today confirmed the departure of DIRT and GRID producer Gavin Raeburn.

A 20-year games development veteran, Raeburn has left the UK games firm to pursue personal projects.

At Codemasters he has been instrumental in spearheading a re-envisioning of the Colin McRae and Race Driver racing game franchises into DIRT and GRID.

Raeburn leaves with both established franchises in great shape – DIRT 2 launched in September to great reviews and sales; GRID won a BAFTA earlier in the year for best sporting game; and in July the Codemasters Studios operation took home the Develop Awards Grand Prix for the team’s combined efforts over the last few years and, indeed, its entire history.

He’s also been supervising the work on Codemasters’ third racing game franchise, its take on the Formula One licence.

“After successfully rebooting two of Codemasters’ heritage franchises as DiRT and GRID, Executive Producer Gavin Raeburn has moved on to pastures new," Gavin Cheshire, VP of Codemasters Development told Develop.

"Following the recent success of the award winning DiRT 2, it’s positive for any individual to move when they feel they’re at the top.

"He leaves having built an incredibly talented team that’s led by key players who will drive our racing portfolio forward. He has my best wishes and our thanks for all the successes enjoyed during his time at Codemasters.”