Warren Spector Role-playing and video game developer Date of Birth: 02.10.1955 Country: USA

1. Warren Spector: Developer of Role-playing and Video Games
2. Early Life and Education
3. Entrance into Gaming
4. Video Game Career

Warren Spector: Developer of Role-playing and Video Games

Warren Spector is a renowned developer of role-playing and video games, best known for his efforts in merging elements of RPGs and first-person shooters. He currently resides in Austin, Texas, with his wife, writer Caroline L. Spector. Some of his most notable works include the video games 'System Shock' and 'Deus Ex'.

Early Life and Education

Warren Spector grew up in Manhattan, New York City, describing it as a neighborhood with a rather hostile atmosphere where "little chubby Jewish kids didn't have it too good." He approached each of his childhood interests with great passion, starting from his fascination with dinosaurs and airplanes, and later delving into a keen interest in law by sixth grade. At the age of 13, Spector aspired to become a film critic, and by high school, he developed a passion for cars and basketball.

Spector enrolled at Northwest University in Illinois, still intending to pursue a career in film criticism, believing he knew more about movies than most of his teachers. He earned a bachelor's degree in Communication and went on to obtain a Master's degree in Radio-TV-Film from the University of Texas, Austin in 1980. His thesis explored the history of animation at Warner Bros. Spector later taught several courses on film history, theory, and criticism at the same university.

Entrance into Gaming

During his studies, Spector developed a growing interest in games and played tabletop games like 'Avalon Hill', 'OGRE', 'G.E.V.', and 'Rivets'. He then met several science fiction writers who were enthusiastic about 'Dungeons & Dragons', and Spector decided to give it a try, quickly becoming hooked.

In 1983, after a few months of working as a curator for David O. Selznick's collection at the Harry Ransom Center, Spector found himself unemployed, unsure of how he would afford his next month's rent. Chris Frink, a fellow worker at a weekly entertainment magazine where Spector also worked while attending college, called him with an offer. Frink informed Spector that he was now the editor of 'Space Gamer' magazine and offered him a job. Thus, in the fall of 1983, Spector began his career as an editor. He eventually became the chief editor for all of Steve Jackson Games' publications, as the company published 'Space Gamer' magazine. Spector then transitioned into game development, overseeing design, typesetting, and illustration. Alongside his colleague and school friend Greg Kostokyan, he contributed to the development of the game 'Toon'.

Video Game Career

In March 1987, Spector joined the company 'TSR' and worked on projects such as 'Top Secret/S.I.' and 'Marvel Super Heroes'. He later became interested in the computer game industry and worked for 'Origin Systems' and 'Looking Glass Studios'. Spector contributed to games like 'Ultima Underworld I' and 'Ultima Underworld II', 'System Shock', and 'Dark Camelot', which eventually became 'Thief: The Dark Project'. He then founded the Austin branch of 'Ion Storm Inc.', where he developed 'Deus Ex', 'Deus Ex: Invisible War', and 'Thief: Deadly Shadows'. In 2005, he established a new studio, 'Junction Point Studios', where he worked on a project that remained secretive in terms of its concept and title. On July 13, 2007, it was announced that 'Disney Interactive' acquired 'Junction Point Studios'. Spector's first project with Disney was the game 'Epic Mickey'.