Veteran UK game developer Stuart Gillrey died on Thursday after being infected with Covid on December 19, reports GamesIndustry.biz. Gilray founded the Just Add Water game studio in 2006, specializing in ports and remaster works as well as developing original games.
Gilray’s game development career stretched long before the founding of Just Add Water. In the early ’90s he was a programmer in Amiga games including Darkmere, published by Tomb Raider Core Design Studio, and the Powermonger of Bullfrog Productions, a sequel by designer Peter Molino to Popous.
Gilray’s Just Add Water studio is best known for helping revive the Oddworld series. In 2010, Just Add Water took on the development of Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD, bringing the unique shooter to the PC and new consoles. The studio went on to create an HD port of Oddworld: Munch’s Odysee, and also co-developed Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty, a full remake of the first game in the series.
According to GameIndustry.biz, Gilray was hospitalized with Covid-19 on December 20th. He died on January 6 at the age of 51.
Developers have posted messages on Twitter praising Gilray since the news broke.
“It’s unbelievable to think we lost Stuart Gillrey today at the young age of 51,” he said. I have written Head of Digital Eclipse Studio, Mike Mika. “CEO and founder of Just Add Water, but more than that a prominent figure and outline for success in games, not just financial success, but success in everything that matters. RIP “.
“Cubid shortened his life and ruined so much. He was the nicest guy I knew, stubborn as hell, and always there for me,” I have written Q-Games CEO Dylan Cuthbert.
Gilray is survived by his wife, son and daughter.