Forgotten Game Greats: The People

- by Ninja Ross, 7 January 2013

Even if you’re not a fan of a comedian, director, actor, comedian, writer, artist, etc you tend to know a bit about them due to celebrity news, friends or maybe they’re linked to something you do like. For example, our very own Señor Editor hates Hugh Jackman but still knows things about him. In pretty much every medium, you know people whether you like them or not. You know of people even if you have no interest in a medium, you tend to know something about the people in that industry.

But not games so much. Can you, humble reader, name any video game creators? Directors? Writers? There’s a chance you know someone like Cliffy B, but... you probably don’t.

This is no fault of yours. People who work in the video game industry are not as celebrated as people on Jersey Shore. Sometimes it’s because these people are shy. Sometimes it’s because they’re kind of funny looking. But let’s take a look at the people you SHOULD know. The people who should be known outside of the gaming community.


HIDEO KOJIMA

Hideo Kojima is, without a doubt, one of the most influential game designers in the world. Ever. The man created Metal Gear, one of the most successful stealth action games in existence. He made a relatively simple espionage and giant robot story into something complex and unique.

This man plays with the video game mechanics to the point where it’s infuriatingly awesome. In Metal Gear Solid, you need to examine the game’s CD case to progress through the story. During a boss fight, you need to change the controller port. Infuriating, right?
But still incredibly cool.

Hideo Kojima

ROBIN HUNICKE

Robin is a game designer responsible for Mysims, a Wii version of The Sims, for EA. While this taught the world that she knows what she’s doing, it was her work on Journey that proved she’s a freaking expert. If you haven’t played Journey, you’re a bad person. It’s a cheap indie game available from most digital game services (PSN, Steam, ETC) and is the most beautiful game of 2012. I guarantee you’ll see it in “best of the decade” lists when 2020 comes around.

Besides Her design and production work, she’s a big supporter of indie games and that is a pretty great thing since some of the best video games are coming from that area.

Robin Hunicke

AKIRA YAMAOKA

This man is the reason so many people crap their pants when they hear metal scraping. He was the sound designer for nearly all of the silent hill games. He composed the soundtracks that create Silent Hill’s eerie atmosphere and he was also the sound director for the first movie adaptation. Pretty neat, right?

I can only imagine what his most disturbing nightmares sound like...

But Akira Yamaoka is just one of many video game sound directors and composers. None of them get the credit they deserve, despite the crazy amount of work that goes into your favourite video games.

Akira Yamaoka

PETER MOLYNEUX

This former Creative Director of Lionhead Studios was the designer of Black & White 1 and 2, Dungeon Keeper and the Fable series. On the surface he’s just an old English guy! Can you believe it?!?

Despite critical success, he developed a reputation for being a little too... Enthusiastic. He made promises that could not be kept using today’s technology.

This is the ideas guy. Give him the technology and he’ll think of stuff that you can’t do with it. On the plus side, he really tries!

Peter Molyneux

TIM SCHAFER

You’ve already read my Psychonauts article, right? Of course you have! So you know that I already love this guy. He’s best known for his work on Psychonauts, Secret of Monkey Island, The Grim Fandango and Brutal Legend and he’s one of the industry’s most creative members.

While fans have been begging for a Psychonauts sequel (literal begging, I tell ya!) he hasn’t announced one...

But he is busy working on The Cave and an untitled point and click adventure. I’m pretty sure these are going to be awesome, considering his creativity and experience.

Tim Schafer

AMY HENNIG

Hennig has been writing video games for over 17 years. Her first major job (not  including  her art  on a  crappy Michael  Jordan game) was writing the Legacy of Kane series, before vampires turned to crap. [I think I played that Jordan game, actually... -Ed.]

She went on to write for the Jak and Daxter series for Naughty Dog and is currently the head writer for the Uncharted series. And we all love Uncharted, right? Explosive blockbuster action all over the place! Yeah!

Amy Hennig

And that, readers, is just a handful of the people working in the game industry. Not even a handful. But this concludes today's installment of FGG! There's plenty of real talent in the video game industry. Do you have any favorite game creators? Sound off in the comments!

Tagged: video games, Forgotten Game Greats.

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