# Core Design

> British video game developer

**Wikidata**: [Q869104](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q869104)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_Design)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/core-design

## Summary
Core Design was a British video game developer founded in 1988 and based in Derby, United Kingdom. Operating within the video game industry, the company is best known for creating the Tomb Raider franchise. The studio was a privately held company owned by the publisher Eidos Interactive until it was dissolved in 2006.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 1988
- **Dissolved:** 2006
- **Headquarters:** Derby, United Kingdom
- **Industry:** Video Game Industry
- **Legal Form:** Privately held company
- **Parent Organization:** Eidos Interactive (British video game publisher)
- **Instance Of:** Video game developer
- **Aliases:** Core Design Limited, Rebellion Derby, CORE
- **Known Products:** Tomb Raider: Unfinished Business, Rick Dangerous
- **Successor:** Followed by and replaced by Rebellion Developments

## FAQs
### Q: When was Core Design founded and when did it close?
A: Core Design was founded in 1988 and ceased operations in 2006.

### Q: Who owned Core Design?
A: Core Design was owned by Eidos Interactive, a British video game publisher headquartered in London.

### Q: What are some games developed by Core Design?
A: Core Design developed titles such as *Rick Dangerous* and *Tomb Raider: Unfinished Business*, a re-release of the 1996 *Tomb Raider* game.

## Why It Matters
Core Design holds a significant place in video game history as the original creative force behind the *Tomb Raider* franchise, a series that defined the 3D action-adventure genre and produced one of gaming's most iconic characters, Lara Croft. As a key development studio under the publisher Eidos Interactive, Core Design contributed to the growth of the British video game industry throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Their work on early 3D platforming mechanics and cinematic storytelling set standards that influenced countless games that followed.

The studio's eventual dissolution in 2006 and its absorption into Rebellion Developments marks a pivotal transition in the UK development landscape. Understanding Core Design's trajectory offers insight into the broader challenges and successes faced by independent studios within larger corporate publishing structures. Their legacy continues to be studied and referenced by gaming historians and enthusiasts alike.

## Notable For
- Creating the original *Tomb Raider* franchise, a landmark in action-adventure gaming.
- Being a key component of Eidos Interactive's development portfolio during the 1990s and early 2000s.
- Operating as a major UK-based game developer located in Derby before its closure.
- Being succeeded by Rebellion Developments, another prominent UK-based game studio.

## Body
### Corporate Structure and Ownership
Core Design (also known as Core Design Limited) operated as a privately held company within the video game industry. Its headquarters were located in Derby, United Kingdom. The developer was a subsidiary of Eidos Interactive, a British video game publisher founded in 1990 and based in London. Eidos Interactive reported having approximately 600 employees.

### History and Operations
The company was established in **1988**. It operated for nearly two decades before being dissolved in **2006**. Following its dissolution, the studio was followed by and replaced by **Rebellion Developments**, which is also known as Rebellion Derby in this context.

### Product Development
As a software development organization, Core Design specialized in the creation of video games. The studio is credited with the production of *Rick Dangerous*. They also developed *Tomb Raider: Unfinished Business*, which serves as a re-release of the original 1996 *Tomb Raider* video game.

### Identifiers and Aliases
The entity is recognized by various names and identifiers across databases. Aliases include **Rebellion Derby**, **CORE**, and **核心设计**. The company holds identifiers such as a MobyGames company ID (103), a PCGamingWiki ID (Company:Rebellion_Derby), and a LaunchBox Games Database developer ID (40). Its Golden Wiki ID is Core_Design-ZYXXWZ.

## References

1. LastDodo
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. MusicBrainz
4. Quora
5. [Company:Rebellion Derby - PCGamingWiki PCGW - bugs, fixes, crashes, mods, guides and improvements for every PC game](https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Company:Rebellion_Derby)
6. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Core_Design-ZYXXWZ)
7. VideoGameGeek