Who is/are your favourite game designers and programmers. The people that you "connect to" in a way since you've really enjoyed their games. Preferably should be someone that you know a bit about - not just any guy whose name rolls on the credits screen.
For me:
1. Jordan Mechner: Originator of the legendary and path-breaking Prince of Persia series. He was a technical wizard during his time, mixing fluid character movements, incredible action, puzzle solving elements into a tight-knit storyline with great characters. He actually dared to tell a story in the late 80's and early 90's - instead of just making a hack and slash computer game.
Also made the highly stylized and fun to play The Last Express.
Masterpieces: Prince of Persia 1; Prince of Persia: The Shadow and The Flame
Notable Contributions: : Karateka, The Last Express
Project I wish he was not involved with: Prince of Persia 3D
2. John Romero : A child prodigy, programming wizard, computer games lover and a dreamer to boot. Co-founder of id software (alongwith John Carmack, Tom Hall and Adrian Carmack - and here is the answer to my question in the computers/quiz thread). Was programmer and lead level designer for Wolf 3d, Doom1, Doom 2, Quake and the Commander Keen series amongst others. 'Greatest' project: Daikatana - he dreamed big but had to bite the dust. Creater of hundreds of games and also dabbles in comic book writing from time to time.
See http://www.johnromero.com for more.
Masterpieces: Doom, Doom 2, Quake.
Notable Contributions: Wolfenstein 3d, Dangerous Dave, Hyperspace Delivery Boy, Commander Keen
Project I wish he was never involved with : Daikatana and Ion Storm in general
3. John Carmack : The other John of id software. He is the technical wizard who comes up with id's revolutionary game engines - which have changed the contours of the game industry every time a new one is released. One of the greatest programmers in the world. Recently provoked outcry by saying that "I have perhaps just one more good engine left in me".
Masterpieces : Doom, Doom 2, Quake 1, 2 and 3
Notable Contributions: Wolfenstein 3D, Commander Keen
Project I wish he was never involved with : Probably Final Doom. But this guy doesn't really give you a chance to say that.
For me:
1. Jordan Mechner: Originator of the legendary and path-breaking Prince of Persia series. He was a technical wizard during his time, mixing fluid character movements, incredible action, puzzle solving elements into a tight-knit storyline with great characters. He actually dared to tell a story in the late 80's and early 90's - instead of just making a hack and slash computer game.
Also made the highly stylized and fun to play The Last Express.
Masterpieces: Prince of Persia 1; Prince of Persia: The Shadow and The Flame
Notable Contributions: : Karateka, The Last Express
Project I wish he was not involved with: Prince of Persia 3D
2. John Romero : A child prodigy, programming wizard, computer games lover and a dreamer to boot. Co-founder of id software (alongwith John Carmack, Tom Hall and Adrian Carmack - and here is the answer to my question in the computers/quiz thread). Was programmer and lead level designer for Wolf 3d, Doom1, Doom 2, Quake and the Commander Keen series amongst others. 'Greatest' project: Daikatana - he dreamed big but had to bite the dust. Creater of hundreds of games and also dabbles in comic book writing from time to time.
See http://www.johnromero.com for more.
Masterpieces: Doom, Doom 2, Quake.
Notable Contributions: Wolfenstein 3d, Dangerous Dave, Hyperspace Delivery Boy, Commander Keen
Project I wish he was never involved with : Daikatana and Ion Storm in general
3. John Carmack : The other John of id software. He is the technical wizard who comes up with id's revolutionary game engines - which have changed the contours of the game industry every time a new one is released. One of the greatest programmers in the world. Recently provoked outcry by saying that "I have perhaps just one more good engine left in me".
Masterpieces : Doom, Doom 2, Quake 1, 2 and 3
Notable Contributions: Wolfenstein 3D, Commander Keen
Project I wish he was never involved with : Probably Final Doom. But this guy doesn't really give you a chance to say that.