January 4^th, 2005 (1:40pm) - Games developer Peter Molyneux has been awarded the rank "Officer of the British Empire" (OBE) by the British Empire as part of the traditional New Year’s Ever ’Honour’ List. He has been awarded this rank due to his contributions to the computer videogames industry because of hit games such as Black & White and Populous.

"It’s come completely out of the blue," Molyneux said when speaking to BBC News."I never would have guessed that I’d have that kind of honor."

Interestingly, Molyneux is not the first British game developer to be given this rank. Argonaut founder and entrepreneur Jez San had previously been given the rank of OBE.