Jennell Jaquays American developer and artist working in the field of board games and video games Date of Birth: 14.10.1956 Country: USA

1. Jennel Jacque: A Pioneering Game Designer and Artist
2. Early Life and Education
3. The Dungeoneer and Dungeons & Dragons
4. Judges Guild and TSR
5. Electronic Arts and id Software
6. Teaching and Continuing Career

Jennel Jacque: A Pioneering Game Designer and Artist

Jennel Jacque is an American game designer and artist renowned for her contributions to tabletop and video games.

Early Life and Education

Biologically born male, Jennel began life as Paul Jacque on October 14, 1956, in Michigan. She spent her childhood in Michigan and Indiana before transitioning in December 2011 and identifying as a lesbian trans woman. Jacque graduated from Jackson County Western High School in 1974 and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Spring Arbor College in 1978.

The Dungeoneer and Dungeons & Dragons

While attending college, Jacque developed a passion for science fiction, fantasy, and the burgeoning role-playing game industry. In 1976, she founded the fanzine "The Dungeoneer," which is credited as the first publication to feature Dungeons & Dragons adventures. It inspired numerous similar magazines in the US and worldwide.

Jacque's involvement with "The Dungeoneer" led her to contribute artwork to "The Dragon" magazine, including the cover of issue #21. Before graduating college, she entrusted the management of the magazine to others to focus on her own creative pursuits.

Judges Guild and TSR

Jacque joined Judges Guild, a company producing Dungeons & Dragons products, where she designed two popular modules: "Dark Tower" and "Caverns of Thracia." In 1979, she left Judges Guild to become a freelance designer and artist.

In the 1990s, Jacque returned to the tabletop industry as an illustrator for TSR, working on games like "Dragon Dice." She eventually became the company's director of art until its acquisition by Wizards of the Coast.

Electronic Arts and id Software

During the 1980s, Jacque ventured into video games, working for companies like Coleco, Epyx, and Interplay Entertainment. She designed and illustrated iconic arcade games such as "Pac-Man" and "Donkey Kong."

In 1997, Jacque joined id Software as lead designer, working on the "Quake" series. She later moved to Ensemble Studios in 2002 and remained there until its closure in 2009.

Teaching and Continuing Career

Jacque became a co-founder of The Guildhall at SMU, a university program for aspiring game designers. She helped develop much of the curriculum. Today, she serves as a lead designer for CCP Games, a North American game development company.