Andy Davidson
Worms creator
The British programmer who created Worms in Blitz Basic, proving that BASIC could produce one of gaming's most successful franchises.
Overview
Andy Davidson is the British programmer who created Worms, one of the most successful game franchises in history. Remarkably, the original was written in Blitz Basic on the Amiga—proving definitively that BASIC could produce commercial hits. Davidson’s creation went from bedroom project to multi-platform phenomenon, spawning dozens of sequels.
Fast Facts
- Born: ~1970
- Created: Worms (1995)
- Language: Blitz Basic
- Publisher: Team17
- Impact: Major gaming franchise
- Proof: BASIC can make hits
The Worms Story
Davidson’s path to success:
- Created game as hobby project
- Entered competition
- Team17 saw potential
- Published in 1995
- Became massive hit
- Franchise continues today
Why It Mattered
Worms proved important points:
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| BASIC is just for learning | Commercial hits possible |
| Need assembly for real games | Compiled BASIC worked |
| Bedroom coders can’t compete | Independent success |
| Innovation requires teams | One person, one idea |
The Game Itself
What made Worms work:
| Feature | Appeal |
|---|---|
| Destructible terrain | Satisfying explosions |
| Turn-based strategy | Accessible gameplay |
| Multiplayer focus | Social gaming |
| Personality | Humorous worms |
| Weapon variety | Creative arsenal |
Technical Achievement
Written in Blitz Basic:
- Compiled to fast code
- Handled complex physics
- Destructible bitmap terrain
- Sound and music
- Smooth gameplay
Legacy
Andy Davidson demonstrated that great game design transcends tools. Worms succeeded not because of advanced technology but because it was fun. His use of Blitz Basic showed that accessible development tools could produce games competing with any assembly-coded title.