Top 500 head for Develop Awards

Over 500 games developers and execs have bought tickets for the Develop Awards on Wednesday, setting up a perfect send-off for Jacqui Lyons and a stellar night for the winners.

A special Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Lyons, who has looked after top developers since the 1980s via her company Marjacq.

The Brighton event is expected to sell out today, but a handful of last minute tickets are still available from Kathryn.Humphrey@bhpr.co.uk.

Other key awards up for grabs on the night include Best New IP, Technical Innovation, Best New Studio, Development Legend and the highly prestigious Grand Prix.

“2009 will be the biggest and best Develop Awards by far,” commented editor-in-chief Michael French.

“We are thrilled that the leading 500 programmers, musicians, artists, producers and directors within European games development will be in the room.

“And of course it will be a great honour to give Jacqui special recognition for her 25 year career looking after programmers and creators.”

Sponsors for the evening, hosted by comedian Jason Manford, include Partnertrans, Black Rock, Crytek, Bethesda and Babel Media.

The Develop Industry Excellence Awards 2009 take place on Wednesday July 15th at the Hilton Metropole Hotel, Brighton.

The evening starts with drinks, courtesy of Partnertrans, from 7pm and runs through until 2am.