Will Wright
General Information
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Summary
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, game designer Will Wright is famously the father of the "Sim". Not flight, racing or management sims, but something much more ambitious - games that simulated the world.
Cutting his teeth designing 1984's Raid on Bungeling Bay for the Commodore 64, later released on NES and MSX. Following a chance meeting in 1986 with investor Jeff Braun, the pair formed developer Maxis in 1987. Two years later the company bore its first fruit - SimCity. In the subsequent years Maxis created, amongst others, Sim Earth, SimAnt, A-Train, SimCopter and SimCity 2000
After going public in 1995, the company was acquired by Electronic Arts in 1997, and Maxis entered a period of few hits worthy of the company's early glories. This changed in 2000 with the release of The Sims. Accompanied with too many sequels to mention, the Sims series changed the face of the "God game" genre and recruited a whole new band of gamers - girls.
In 2007 Wright was honoured with a BAFTA Fellowship for outstanding creative work in gaming, becoming the first member of the games industry to received accolade.
Software Highlights from Credited Titles
Will Wright's first video game work that SPOnG is aware of is the 1984 title, "Raid on Bungeling Bay" (C64) as Lead Programmer. Of the titles listing Will within the credits , "The Sims" (PC) and "SPORE" (PC) have been best selling titles.
Will's most recent involvement was as Original Concept on the 2008 release "SPORE" (PC).
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Related News
Will Wright: Games Industry Grows into Play Industry |
08 Oct 2009 | ||
Spore Evolves Into Hollywood Movie |
02 Oct 2009 | ||
Will Wright Talks 'Fractal Entertainment Experiences' |
18 Jun 2009 | ||
Will Wright's Stupid Fun |
09 Apr 2009 | ||
Will Wright: Cloud Won't Affect Development |
27 Mar 2009 |
Related Press Releases
EA Reveals SPORE for the Mac |
16 Jan 2008 |
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Related Titles
SPORE (PC)
Life, the Universe and Everything. It was the name of a book in Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. It's also what gaming luminary Will Wright is gunning for in his most ambitious title as of 2008, Spore.Gamers are charged ... more >>
The Sims (PC)
The ever growing Sim franchise receives its latest instalment in the series, The Sims. This AI based game is said to be one of the most advanced and addictive titles of 2000. Welcome to the worlds first interactive soap opera, The Sims.... more >>
Sim City (PC)
The ever growing Sim franchise receives its latest instalment in the series, The Sims. This AI based game is said to be one of the most advanced and addictive titles of 2000. Welcome to the worlds first interactive soap opera, The Sims.... more >>
Related Editorial
SPOnG's Review of 2008: July |
05 Jan 2009 | ||
World Exclusive: Will Wright Spills All on Spore |
10 Aug 2006 |
Companies
Maxis |
Director | 87 | - | ... | |
Stupid Fun Club |
CEO | 1 Apr 09 | - | ... |

