Video Game Nerds

[wannamaker 1,519]

6 minutes ago, arghton said:

Gabe Newell - Very notable (Valve), very obese

 

 

Tbf Gabe has lost a lot of weight recently, so maybe not one for the near future.

[Evil Grimace 377]

@gcreptile - Richard Garriott (Ultima) is a nice reminder of him having himself in his games; age 63, but likes his space travel.

 

@arghton - I have to add from 'Metroid' (Nintendo) the character designers of Samus Aran, Hiroji Kiyotake (64) and Yoshio Sakamoto (65); both are involved in many NES console games. 

[Spade_Cooley 9,712]

Trying to think of some names from the 80s British home computer era. Jeff Minter's only 62, but has always looked like shit and never struck me as one to make an advanced age. Malcolm "Trashman" Evans is 80, but might struggle to make it to a QO.

[Thatcher 2,758]

Love the idea for a theme team. Some names off the top of my head (but not thoroughly researched):

 

Bruce Shelley - worked with Meiers on Railroad Tycoon, Civilization and also worked on Age of Empires. He’s roughly 76 and walks with a stick. Not sure he’s nailed on for a QO but a good punt.

 

Will Wright - creator of The Sims, almost certain QO. Shortly turning 65, went radio silent on social media back in 2021 never to return, but is working on a new game. 
 

Steve Jackson - co-founded Lionhead Studios which created Black & White and Fable, but more famously founded Games Workshop. Nailed on obituary. Around 73 years old, no signs of ill health. 

[Bibliogryphon 9,728]

29 minutes ago, Thatcher said:

Steve Jackson - co-founded Lionhead Studios which created Black & White and Fable, but more famously founded Games Workshop. Nailed on obituary. Around 73 years old, no signs of ill health. 

 

Is this the same as Car Wars Steve Jackson or Citadel of Chaos Steve Jakson or a third unrelated Steve Jackson?

[Thatcher 2,758]

4 minutes ago, Bibliogryphon said:

 

Is this the same as Car Wars Steve Jackson or Citadel of Chaos Steve Jakson or a third unrelated Steve Jackson?

Yes this is Citadel of Chaos Steve Jackson. 
 

Steve Jackson of Car Wars is American and a year or two younger.

[DoltonMoney 345]

Nolan Bushnell is turning 82 in February. Big name in early gaming history and fairly large.

[DemBones 36]

On 02/01/2025 at 16:46, Spade_Cooley said:

Trying to think of some names from the 80s British home computer era. Jeff Minter's only 62, but has always looked like shit and never struck me as one to make an advanced age. Malcolm "Trashman" Evans is 80, but might struggle to make it to a QO.

 

Jon Woods, co-founder of Ocean Software, turns 79 this year. He was also on Everton’s board of directors for about 2 decades until he stepped down a few years ago.

 

Alan Sugar, the founder of Amstrad, turns 78 this year and has had a few health scares in recent years. He’d easily obit, of course, given that he’s much more famous these days for his roles on TV and in politics.

 

Tim and Chris Stamper, the co-founders of two seminal software companies in the 80s (Ultimate Play the Game and Rare) would definitely be obit-worthy I think, but I can’t actually find much info out there about them - I don’t even know how old they are.

 

David Darling, co-frounder of Codemasters and a CBE, should also be obit-worthy when the time comes, but it’s still way too soon for that; he only turns 59 this year and is still working as the CEO of Kwalee, the mobile game company he started after Codemasters.

[gcreptile 11,338]

Alan Emrich, board game pioneer, computer magazine writer, and strategy game expert, he coined the term 4x game, has died:

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/alan-emrich-the-game-designer-and-writer-who-coined-the-term-4x-has-died/