Discussion: Most respected names in gaming?

[poloplayr]

I started thinking about the lack of 'big names' in the gaming industry, given its tremendous size. Sure you have a handful of famed developers, some outspoken CEOs of publishers, some journalists/reviewers and our beloved Mr Pachter.

But still, compared to most other forms of entertainment the industry has very few 'celebs' for lack of a better word.

My question to the forum is now: who are the most respected people in the industry? Who are the most admired 'experts' in their field. This can be developers, visionaries, reviewers, analysts, founders of legendary studios, etc, etc.

Would be very fascinating to hear your opinions.

[crom]

Howie Warshaw

[poloplayr]

Howie Warshaw

Good choice. My personal thoughts were also going back to the classics. He also comes across like a really nice guy in interviews.

[crom]

Good choice. My personal thoughts were also going back to the classics. He also comes across like a really nice guy in interviews.

I thought I was being sarcastic... lol

[poloplayr]

I thought I was being sarcastic... lol

me too! haha

[crom]

me too! haha

HIGH FIVE!



lol!

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Will Wright always makes a short list of this type.

Though I've never really enjoyed a Sim game, he seems to be equal parts engineer & artist and very supportive of the indie side of the industry regardless of how many millions he's worth.

[Swamperon]

Nintendo has its fair share. Miyamoto of course, tho I feel he is overrated. I prefer Eiji Anouma (zelda) and Sakurai (Kirby, Super Smash bros). I get the impression they put much more effort/time into their games.

Nintendo also has regi, who most people seem to love for some odd reason.

As mentioned, Will Wright is a big, respected name. Perhaps not so much after Spore?

Peter Molyneux is a known name as well.

[HappehLemons]

Jade Raymond

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

n'gai croal.

didn't really agree with his take on the whole resi5 debacle, but i still enjoy his writing. he has a good eye for the industry trends, and his writing treads the fine line between being too nose-deep into reviewing games to consider where they're going or what they represent, and being a self-important games-as-art black hole of pretension (think tim rogers).

[crom]

n'gai croal.

didn't really agree with his take on the whole resi5 debacle, but i still enjoy his writing. he has a good eye for the industry trends, and his writing treads the fine line between being too nose-deep into reviewing games to consider where they're going or what they represent, and being a self-important games-as-art black hole of pretension (think tim rogers).

n'gai to me is hit or miss...

[kupomogli]

Nintendo has its fair share. Nintendo also has regi, who most people seem to love for some odd reason.

He knows how to talk and make people listen, that's it, that's the only reason people like him so much.

[Scott45]

Warren Robinett ?

[Overbite]

Jade Raymond

What has she done apart from Assassins Creed?

I'd say John Carmack. The one-man programming superwhiz at id. He is responsible for the Doom, Quake, Quake 2, Quake 3, and most of Doom 3 engines. He is also a rocket scientist. There is no other game programmer like him!

[boatofcar]

I'm surprised Sid Meier's name hasn't come up with. He's done some of the most respected games of all time.

[GarrettCRW]

Aside from the names already mentioned, I'd wager that David Crane and Hideo Kojima have goads of respect.

[crom]

Jade Raymond

jade raymond?

like its so hard to be a lead producer...

any one of us could do her job...

[boatofcar]

Aside from the names already mentioned, I'd wager that David Crane and Hideo Kojima have goads of respect.

Those two, for me, cross the line from "respected" to "well-known."

[Icarus Moonsight]

I respect Itagaki much more since the whole Tecmo fiasco happened. He's not just a wannabe rock star after all (I thought he was a little 'David Blane' full of himself at one time). The man has principles and sticks to 'em. Nowadays, one could say that is slightly rare. The EGM "Hey, guess who I bumped into?" interview was the best thing they put in print in their last ten years or so. That was a great read.

Of course, Ralph Baer.

I also think Suda51 has not received his due notability. Some, but he's owed more IMO.

[j_factor]

Roberta Williams.