Data Design Interactive

Data Design Interactive, often abbreviated to DDI, was a British games development studio whose history dated back to the 1980s. Over the course of its long history, it developed games for a range of platforms, from older home computers to the PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii and PC.

Today, the studio is best known amongst gamers for its large number of lower-priced games for the Nintendo Wii. Many of these utilised the studio’s own technology and similar gameplay mechanics, which enabled new titles to be produced relatively quickly.

Perhaps the studio’s best-known game is Ninjabread Man. It is a 3D action platformer in which the player controls a gingerbread ninja fighting enemies in a world full of sweets. The game was released for, amongst others, the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii.

A very similar title is Anubis II, an action platformer inspired by ancient Egypt. The player controls the character Anubis and navigates levels full of enemies, traps and platforming sections.

Data Design Interactive also created the Myth Makers series. This includes, for example, Myth Makers: Trixie in Toyland, Myth Makers: Orbs of Doom and the racing game Myth Makers: Super Kart GP. The individual games feature fairy-tale characters and colourful fantasy settings.

Another title in a similar category is Billy the Wizard: Rocket Broomstick Racing, which combines a fantasy setting with flying and racing on magic broomsticks.

The studio also specialised in racing games. Alongside Super Kart GP, it created, for example, Mini Desktop Racing, Monster Trux Offroad and Urban Extreme, which offered simpler, arcade-style racing.

An interesting part of the catalogue is the Kidz Sports series, aimed at younger players. Games released under this brand included titles dedicated to basketball, football, ice hockey and other sports.

Data Design Interactive also worked on a number of other titles such as Action Girlz Racing, Kawasaki Quad Bikes, Kawasaki Jet Ski, Offroad Extreme! and Rock “N” Roll Adventures.

The studio was characterised by its use of its own engine, GODS (Game Oriented Development System). This enabled the sharing of technologies and game mechanics across different projects and the porting of games to multiple platforms.

Data Design Interactive is thus one of the most notable British developers, particularly from the era of the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii. Although its games often fell into the budget category, thanks to titles such as Ninjabread Man, Anubis II, Myth Makers and Billy the Wizard, the studio became relatively well known amongst collectors and fans of less common console games.