Will Wright | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Will_Wright_-_Game_Developers_Conference_2010_(2)_(cropped).jpg) Wright speaking at the 2010 Game Developers Conference | |
| Born | William Ralph Wright January 20, 1960 |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Game designer |
| Known for | |
| Spouses | Joell Jones
(m. 1984, divorced)
|
| Children | 2 |
William Ralph Wright (born January 20, 1960) is an American video game designer and co-founder of the game development company Maxis, which later became part of Electronic Arts. In April 2009, he left EA to run Stupid Fun Club Camp, an entertainment think tank in which Wright and EA are principal shareholders.[1][2][3]
The first computer game Wright designed was Raid on Bungeling Bay in 1984, but it was SimCity that brought him to prominence. The game was published by Maxis, which Wright co-formed with Jeff Braun. Wright continued to innovate on the game's central theme of simulation with numerous other titles including SimEarth and SimAnt.
Wright has earned many awards for his work in game design. He is best known for being the original designer of The Sims series, of which Maxis developed the first entry in 2000. The game spawned multiple sequels, including The Sims 2, The Sims 3, The Sims 4 and their expansion packs. His latest work, Spore, released in September 2008 and features gameplay based upon the model of evolution and scientific advancement.[4] The game sold 406,000 copies within three weeks of its release.[5]
In 2007, he became the first game designer to receive the BAFTA Fellowship, which had previously only been presented to those in the film and television industries.
- ^ "Will Wright Leaves EA, Does Something Stupid". Kotaku. April 8, 2009. Archived from the original on April 10, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- ^ "Stupid Fun News". spore.com. April 8, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- ^ Stewart, Kemuel (April 8, 2008). "Will Wright Leaves Electronic Arts". GamerCenterOnline. Archived from the original on April 12, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2009.
- ^ Margaret Robertson (August 9, 2008). "The Creation Simulation". Seed. Archived from the original on September 9, 2008.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help)CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Gibson, Ellie (September 25, 2008). "September Sales 08". Eurogamer. Retrieved October 8, 2008.