Sydney Development Corporation

Sydney Development Corporation (“SDC”), is the first publicly traded software company in Canada founded by Tarrnie Williams. SDC developed an online real-time project management system for mainframe computers; then various different business applications for microcomputers; and eventually becoming the first developer and publisher of computer games for microcomputers in Canada.

The company was created to provide an interface for IBM’s project-management systems (See IBM System z). The introduction of microcomputers like the Apple II opened up new sales opportunities because they were often purchased for home use, and those users were looking for a different kind of software than office users: entertainment. Sydney Development Corp. was the fastest growing public company in Canada in the five-year period 1978 to 1983 with fiscal year 1983 revenues of $21 million (in today's dollars $84 million).

In 1981, a 17 year old Don Mattrick and his friend Jeff Sembers got their game Evolution into the hands of Tarrnie Williams, the owner of Sydney Development Corporation. Mr. Williams agreed to publish the game after witnessing his 10-year-old son's enjoyment of the demo copy. The child was Tarrnie Williams, Jr., who became the General Manager of Relic Entertainment and produced popular games like Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War series and Company of Heroes, plus the Medal of Honor (series) and NBA Live franchise while working at Electronic Arts (Canada).