Influential GoldenEye, Perfect Dark artist Brett Jones has died

Brett Jones, one of the original artists on the GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark teams, has died.

GoldenEye designer David Doak shared the news on social media on Thursday, writing: “RIP Brett Jones – you absolute legend.” He later added: “So much of what made GE007 and PD special came from Brett’s talent and rascal humour.”

Jones worked for Rare between 1994 and 2002 and his work can be seen across multiple areas of GoldenEye 007, from modelling all of the game’s characters, creating most of its animation, building multiple backgrounds and the frontend UI.

Jones was also influential in shaping the design of Perfect Dark protagonist Joanna Dark, and voiced several characters in the N64 classic, as well as modelling and animating the majority of them, and leading motion capture work.

He was also a keen fundraiser, regularly raising money for charities such as the Teenage Cancer Trust and others.

In the video game world, Brett was best known for his work on the classic Rare shooters. However, he had an even stronger career away from the games industry, notably working on VFX for movies such as The Last Jedi, and TV shows such as Dr Who.

Jones also helped create the opening titles for BBC’s Match of the Day, Championship Darts, and others.

A crowdfunding campaign is currently underway to have Jones’ work exhibited at the Atkins Gallery in Hinckley, Leicestershire, UK. Organisers note the gallery “will go ahead whatever happens”.