# David Braben

> British computer programmer

**Wikidata**: [Q1173809](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1173809)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Braben)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/david-braben

## Summary
David Braben is a British computer programmer, video game designer, and entrepreneur. Born in 1964, he has been active in the software industry since 1984 and is recognized for his contributions to game design and engineering. He is a recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship and an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

## Biography
- **Born:** January 2, 1964, in Basford
- **Nationality:** United Kingdom
- **Education:** Jesus College; Buckhurst Hill County High School
- **Known for:** Computer programming, video game design, and software engineering
- **Residence:** Cambridge
- **Field(s):** Software Development, Game Design, Engineering

## Contributions
David Braben has maintained a prolific career in the technology and video game sectors beginning in 1984. His professional roles span computer programming, software engineering, and video game production. He is identified as a key figure in the industry, evidenced by his recognition in historical gaming archives such as MobyGames and the C64 Wiki.

His contributions have been formally acknowledged through prestigious industry and academic honors. In 2014, he received an honorary doctorate from The Open University. The following year, in 2015, he was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship, the highest accolade bestowed by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, specifically honoring his work in games at the 11th British Academy Games Awards. Additionally, he has been recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, highlighting his technical impact beyond entertainment software.

## FAQs

### Q: What is David Braben's educational background?
A: David Braben attended Buckhurst Hill County High School and subsequently studied at Jesus College.

### Q: What notable awards has David Braben received?
A: He is an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and a recipient of the BAFTA Fellowship (2015). He also holds an honorary doctorate from The Open University (2014) and is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

### Q: When did David Braben begin his career?
A: David Braben's professional work period began in 1984.

### Q: Is David Braben active on social media?
A: Yes, he maintains a presence on Twitter under the handle `davidbraben`, where he has accumulated tens of thousands of followers.

## Why They Matter
David Braben matters significantly to the fields of software engineering and video game design due to his enduring presence and recognition since the mid-1980s. His career, spanning nearly four decades, demonstrates a sustained relevance in the rapidly evolving technology sector. The elevation to BAFTA Fellowship signifies that his body of work is considered to have made a profound and lasting impact on the gaming industry and British culture. Furthermore, his status as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering places him among an elite group of practitioners who have contributed fundamentally to the advancement of engineering principles. His recognition with an OBE further cements his status as a national figure in the United Kingdom's technology landscape.

## Notable For
- **BAFTA Fellowship:** Awarded in 2015 at the 11th British Academy Games Awards.
- **Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE):** Recognized for his services to the industry.
- **Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering:** Acknowledged for his contributions to the field.
- **Industry Longevity:** Active in the industry starting in 1984.
- **Multi-disciplinary Roles:** Serving as a programmer, designer, engineer, producer, and entrepreneur.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
David John Braben was born on January 2, 1964, in Basford. He attended Buckhurst Hill County High School before proceeding to higher education at Jesus College. He currently resides in Cambridge.

### Career
Braben began his professional work period in 1984. He operates across multiple disciplines within the technology sector, holding titles including:
*   Computer Programmer
*   Game Designer
*   Software Engineer
*   Video Game Producer
*   Entrepreneur

His professional influence is documented across multiple languages on Wikipedia, including English, German, French, and Spanish, and he is indexed in gaming databases such as MobyGames (ID: 1003) and the C64 Wiki.

### Honors and Awards
Braben has received significant recognition for his professional contributions.
*   **2014:** Awarded an Honorary Doctorate by The Open University.
*   **2015:** Received the BAFTA Fellowship on March 4, 2015.
*   **Academic Fellowships:** Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
*   **National Honor:** Appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

### Digital Presence
Braben is active on social media with the handle `davidbraben`. As of February 2023, his follower count was recorded at 28,706. His identifiers include a VIAF ID (27272677), a BnF ID (14082318r), and a Quora topic dedicated to his profile.

## References

1. [Source](https://www5.open.ac.uk/students/ceremonies/sites/www.open.ac.uk.students.ceremonies/files/files/Honorary%20graduate%20cumulative%20list(7).xlsx)
2. [David Braben to be Honoured with BAFTA Fellowship](https://www.bafta.org/media-centre/press-releases/david-braben-to-be-honoured-with-bafta-fellowship/)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Quora